Two people taken to hospital after horse collides with spectators at Cartmel races

Two members of the public have been taken to hospital after a horse collided with a group of spectators at a race meeting.

The incident happened at Cartmel which had a big crowd in attendance for its final meet of the season on Bank Holiday Monday.

Wbee, a 10-year-old gelding trained by Gary Hanmer, sadly suffered an injury in the third race, a handicap hurdle over three miles, one-and-a-half furlongs.

The horse was pulled up by jockey Alan Doyle and went through the rails by the penultimate jump.

Medics and vets were quickly at the scene and racing was delayed, as confirmed by a post on X from the British Horseracing Authority.

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A statement from the track said: "Cartmel Racecourse can confirm that during the third race of today’s meeting a horse experienced a veterinary issue that caused it to deviate from the course, where it came into contact with a group of spectators.

"On-site medical teams responded immediately and two people were taken to hospital for further treatment.

"The horse, Wbee, received prompt veterinary attention on site but sadly did not recover."

The next contest went off 38 minutes later than it was scheduled, which had a runner part-owned by Tyson Fury. Sea The Clouds jumped 15 of the 18 fences but did not complete the course with ex-champion rider Brian Hughes aboard.

Named the Wicks Group Cavendish Cup, the steeplechase went to the Mickey Bowen-trained Olivers Travels, a horse ridden by his brother Sean.

At Ripon, medical assistance was also required when Charli Parker took a heavy fall in the final race, a 1m 3f amateur jockeys' handicap.

Her mount Star Start became short of room over a furlong out, stumbled and fell.

Racecourse managing director James Hutchinson said: "Charli Parker was stable when she left the racecourse and was taken to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough by road ambulance for further assessment."

He added the thoroughbred, saddled by local handler Ruth Carr, was uninjured and taken back to the stables.

The BHA post-race report read: "The stewards wished to hold an enquiry into the fall of Star Start approximately three furlongs from the line but were unable to do so as Miss Parker was unable to be interviewed due to receiving medical attention. The enquiry is adjourned to a date to be confirmed."