A dramatic incident at Newcastle racecourse on Friday afternoon saw a deer bolt across the track directly in front of thundering horses, prompting an immediate stewards' enquiry into safety procedures.
Race Interrupted by Four-Legged Intruder
The startling event occurred during the Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Novice Stakes, a 1 mile 2 furlong contest. As the four runners – Level Look, Asia Force, New Bay Star and Choir Boy – powered down the straight, the deer made a sudden and unexpected appearance just yards ahead of jockeys Jason Watson, Pierre-Louis Jamin, Oliver Stammers and Cam Hardie.
Miraculously, the animal was moving at high speed and managed to clear the path without causing a collision. The race continued, with Jason Watson steering the Andrew Balding-trained Level Look to victory, finishing two and three-quarter lengths ahead of the hot favourite, Asia Force.
Safety Measures and Past Incidents Under Scrutiny
Acting clerk of the course, Joe Gibson, confirmed that two deer spotters were in position during the race, which lasted nearly two minutes. He explained that the spotter nearest to the incident was further along the track, and protocols usually involve radioing the clerk to potentially delay a race.
"We are aware it could cause something quite serious so that's why we have the spotters and we are always looking at what else we can do," Gibson told reporters. The stewards' report noted that the deer crossed as runners approached 2.5 furlongs out, an area where such an intrusion was considered unusual.
This is not an isolated event at the track. In 2018, two deer disrupted a 1m4f race won by Desert Ruler, with one horse noted as being "clear when distracted by deer running on track." Furthermore, in 2021, jockey Jason Hart had to take evasive action to avoid a deer.
Ongoing Review and Future Precautions
The post-race enquiry concluded with stewards accepting the clerk's explanation of existing measures, which include positioning spotters at known deer crossing points. However, they have mandated that the specific area of Friday's incident will be closely monitored in future.
This event highlights the ongoing challenge for UK racecourses located near wildlife areas, balancing the thrill of the sport with paramount safety for horses, jockeys, and the animals themselves. The enquiry ensures that procedures remain under constant review to prevent a potentially catastrophic accident.
