Sad night at Chelmsford following stalls incident

Staff fought for over two hours to save newcomer Bad At Bay.

Racing at Chelmsford on Saturday evening had a tragic outcome with newcomer Bad At Bay having to be put down following an incident in the stalls before the second race on the card.

The fixture was significantly delayed after the Ivan Furtado-trained debutant banged his head in the stalls prior to the Bet toteexacta At totesport.com Novice Stakes, which was due off at 5.15, and received lengthy treatment. Jockey Jason Hart was unhurt.

The other runners were unloaded and eventually returned to the paddock, before it was announced the start for the race would be moved 30 yards forward and started by flag rather than stalls, with the seven-furlong affair eventually under way some 45 minutes later than scheduled.

The start was moved to enable veterinary staff to continue working with Bad At Bay, who had carefully been extricated from the stalls, and vets and racecourse staff, together with two RaceTech employees, worked for over two hours to save the son of Bated Breath.

He was eventually able to get to his feet, but clerk of the course Andy Waitt later reported: “The vets got the horse back to the stables unit, but he was found to have sustained severe head injuries and his condition deteriorated.

“The connections took the hard decision to have him put to sleep on veterinary advice.”

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