Festive blow for Sedgefield as Boxing Day fixture one of four racedays moved

Sedgefield has given up four further fixtures, including its lucrative Boxing Day card, in the wake of the abandonment of racing after two horses were killed in a hurdle race there early this month.

Its next meeting had already been transferred to Newcastle, to allow for a thorough investigation of the racing surface, but that track has now also taken on the racedays for December 26, March 30 and May 16.

The February 8 card will go to Southwell, whose all-weather Flat fixture the previous day has been switched to Wolverhampton.

The moves, designed to assist with maintenance and increase recovery time between meetings, are accompanied by a reduction in safety factors for all races, which will be run on remeasured lines.

All three restaurants had been fully booked at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, which traditionally attracts the course's biggest crowd of the year.

Middleham trainer Micky Hammond was among the winners there last year and said: "I'm disappointed to hear they're not going to race on Boxing Day.

"Although we tend to have runners at Wetherby and Market Rasen as well I tend to go to Sedgefield and it's a tradition. We do like Newcastle but it's not Sedgefield. But we all want the problem sorted."

Rebecca Menzies, who trains three miles from the course and had a double there on Boxing Day last year, said: "It will be for the best in the long run, no doubt. It might attract a different sort of audience at Newcastle, they've got a big capacity.

"At least we've not lost the meeting and they're making the best of a bad situation. They've recognised that there's an issue and something needs to be done."

Rebecca Menzies: 'They've recognised that there's an issue and something needs to be done'Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Mark Spincer, managing director of Arena Racing Company's racing division, said: "We are grateful to the BHA and our agronomy partners, PSD, for their swift work in undertaking this inspection of the racing surface at Sedgefield. Welfare of participants is of paramount importance, so we wanted to make sure that any adverse issues with the track were identified as quickly as possible.

"Whilst nothing specific has been identified, and the BHA course inspectorate reported that they were happy with the condition of the racing surface, we consider it prudent to take a number of steps for the rest of the season, including the reduction of the safety factors, recalibration of the running lines around bends and the movement of some fixtures to alternative venues.

"We will continue the planning for some major investment into the racing surface to take place over next summer which will specifically enhance areas, including the final bend, and the camber of the track."

Sweet Auburn and Thermusa suffered fatal injuries in separate injuries in a 2m4f hurdle at Sedgefield on November 3. Officials, trainers and jockeys inspected the course and the meeting was abandoned with two races remaining.

Read more . . .

Racing abandoned at Sedgefield after fifth race marred by two fatalities

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at Sedgefield?

Catch our in-depth review of the weekend's racing every Monday in the Racing Post. With big-race analysis from Classic-winning jockey George Baker, Chris Cook's take on the weekend action, eyecatchers from the Raceform team, weekly awards and much more, it is not to be missed.