British Horseracing Authority launch investigation into four horses dying at one meeting in Newton Abbot as 20 of 75 runners fail to finish

The BHA have launched an investigation after four horses were fatally injured at Newton Abbot on Tuesday on what was a desperate day for racing.

Newton Abbot is a popular course with owners, trainers and racegoers and even attracted a runner from Willie Mullins' yard in Ireland last season. It is place in the fixture list is to host summer jumping.

But officials at the track were left devastated when, first, Happy Helen – a three-year-old filly trained by David Pipe – was pulled up in the juvenile maiden hurdle over two miles at 230pm, having suffered irreparable damage to a leg.

In the following race at 3pm — another hurdle contest, this time over two-and-a-half miles — Cuzzicombe, trained by Polly Gundry, was pulled up with a catastrophic injury.

Finally, in another hurdle race at 4pm over two-and-a-quarter miles, Stuart Kittow-trained Hallowed Rose fell and the Joe Tizzard-trained Bala Brook could not finish his race and failed to return to his stable.

On ground that was described as good, good to firm in places, in total 20 horses of the 75 runners that came under starters' orders failed to finish. It is an exceptional high number and, given the circumstances, the BHA are now looking into the circumstances.

A BHA spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are with everyone connected to the horses who suffered fatal injuries. The loss of any horse is always a dreadful occurrence for the owners, trainers and stable staff who provide them with outstanding care and attention throughout their lives, and so a day like this is one that deeply saddens all of us who love the sport.

'Losing four horses at a single fixture is extremely rare but this does not reduce the seriousness with which the BHA takes this matter.

'All four deaths will be thoroughly investigated to understand as best as possible how they occurred and a report will also be compiled on the condition of the course, which is being assessed in order to ascertain whether there are any concerns regarding the racing surface.'

Patrick Masterson, Newton Abbot's Managing Director, said: 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of four horses at our meeting. All our sympathies are with the owners and trainers of the horses concerned. We will assist the British Horseracing Authority with their enquiries into the full facts.'