Huge delays at Newbury after ‘medical incident on course’ and ambulance called

NEWBURY races were delayed after a medical incident was reported on the course.

And that saw the horses forced to return to the paddock as an air ambulance was called to the racecourse.

The incident came ahead of the 2.10pm race in Berkshire.

Newbury Racecourse tweeted just after 2.30pm: "Following a medical incident, today’s second race has been delayed.

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"Runners have returned to the parade ring and we’ll provide further updates as soon as they’re available."

An update on Sky Sports Racing approximately ten minutes later confirmed the incident was still ongoing.

The stricken individual required attention from multiple members of the medical team at Newbury.

And they were unable to continue the races until an additional ambulance arrived - either by road or air - on the scene to provide support.

Every horse race requires two ambulances to follow the field during races to be on hand should any accidents happen.

And therefore Newbury had to halt the afternoon's schedule until the minimum required medics were available.

More than half an hour after the original start time, the horses due to compete in the 2.10 were walking around the paddock.

The complications with having to be reweighed meant the horses were still carrying the saddles, potentially tiring those with heavier weights.

But a positive update at 3.20pm confirmed the medical teams had swapped over.

And that meant the racing could continue, with Newbury forced to bunch up the races to complete the meeting.

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Newbury tweeted again at 3.28pm and added: Racing is to resume shortly. Today's @BetVictor Jumps Finale card will resume with race two. Our best wishes are with the person affected by the earlier medical incident."

Plenty of fans also sent their best wishes with messages of support on social media.

One said: "Sorry to read and thoughts with the person affected."

Another wrote: "Hope all is okay."

A third added: "Shamed to see people complaining about the delay when somebody has fallen ill. Thoughts are with those involved."

And a final user commented: "Thanks for the update. A person's wellbeing must take priority over sport."

The 2.10pm race eventually went off at 3.34pm - just shy of 90 minutes later than planned.

It was won by 22-1 I Love My Baie, just more than a length clear of Pretending.