The owners of a horse which drowned after falling into the River Severn in Shropshire during a race last month are pursuing a claim of negligence against the organisers.Six-year-old Farley Lane fell into the River Severn on May 5 after unseating his rider at the fourth fence during the meeting at Eyton on Severn.
The horse washed up three days later having been carried 34 miles downstream.
Owners Sue Jordan and Wendy Bayliss claim the drowning could have been prevented had the course been fenced and if more stewards had been on hand to stop the horse before he ran into the river.
Mike Dodd is handling the matter on behalf of the owners. He is claiming £5,000 for loss of the horse and £2,500 for distress caused to each owner.
He has also written to the British Horseracing Authority questioning why its inspector of courses passed Eyton on Severn as fit to race when the river was not fenced off.
Mr Dodd today said: “I can confirm that I am pursuing this claim on behalf of the owners and am calling for the BHA to take action to prevent this happening again at any race course in the UK with a river running adjacent to it which is exposed.”
Nick Bostock, north west area secretary for Point-to-Point, confirmed the issue was in the hands of insurance firm Lycetts.
South Shropshire hunt chairman Marek Kwiatkowski declined to comment further until the matter was resolved.
Christopher Cox, of Lycetts, today said: “A thorough review will take place. It is going to be investigated. What happened is a tragedy but we have to investigate.
“We have received a claim from the owners.”
Share this article:
What are these?