Tragic loss as two horses die but 58 rescued in barn fire at Belmont Park
Two horses have died and 58 horses were rescued in a massive evacuation operation at Belmont Park following a fire that ravaged a barn at the New York track on Tuesday.
The two horses, whose names have not been released by the New York Racing Association, were trained by Wayne Potts and sadly did not survive the fire in barn 60 at the track, which NYRA employees first responded to on Tuesday evening before the Elmont Fire Department arrived at the scene minutes later.
The NYRA employees and fire department were joined by security and backstretch staff to provide immediate assistance to the horses stabled in the barn before the 58 horses, trained by Potts and fellow trainer Jeffrey Englehart, were safely evacuated and relocated. No injuries to barn staff or NYRA employees were reported during the fire.
NYRA CEO and president Dave O'Rourke said: "The tragic loss of both horses will be deeply felt by the hard-working women and men of the New York racing community, who dedicate themselves to the sport and to the care of these equine athletes.
"That collective dedication and sense of community was on display this evening, when the heroic and selfless response of so many prevented further loss and saved the lives of dozens of horses."
The cause of the fire is under investigation, with the spring campaign beginning on Thursday week at the track.
Read more news from around the racing world:
Plenty of questions unanswered as Neil Callan suspension saga rumbles on
Essential Quality shows braveness and quality with thrilling Blue Grass win
Benoist and Barberot dreaming of Classic success as Fast Raaj bursts through
Callan has Hong Kong licence suspended for being disrespectful towards stewards
Classically-bred Philomene sparks Group 1 dreams after Prix Penelope stroll
Lei Papale springs surprise to down Triple Crown winner Contrail in Osaka Hai
Ultimate Daily – our daily newsletters from Racing Post's experts, exclusive to the inbox of Ultimate Members' Club subscribers. To receive the newsletter subscribe here
Published on 14 April 2021inInternational
Last updated 14:48, 14 April 2021
- Falbrav owner Luciano Salice dies at the age of 88
- Meet the Kazakh wonderhorse rising from obscurity and causing a sensation in his bid for Dubai World Cup glory
- Charlie Appleby 'still in a rebuilding process' after underwhelming 2023 - but is hopeful new generation can help him bounce back
- Dubai World Cup rides set to be pivotal in new partnership between Kieran Shoemark and Gosden stable
- 'It gives you a degree of confidence' - positive signs for Eldar Eldarov following stablemate Charyn's Doncaster romp
- Falbrav owner Luciano Salice dies at the age of 88
- Meet the Kazakh wonderhorse rising from obscurity and causing a sensation in his bid for Dubai World Cup glory
- Charlie Appleby 'still in a rebuilding process' after underwhelming 2023 - but is hopeful new generation can help him bounce back
- Dubai World Cup rides set to be pivotal in new partnership between Kieran Shoemark and Gosden stable
- 'It gives you a degree of confidence' - positive signs for Eldar Eldarov following stablemate Charyn's Doncaster romp