Brewery horses follow Father Christmas in falling foul of BHA rules

Hot on the heels of Lingfield being rapped over the knuckles for forgetting to seek BHA permission for Father Christmas to do his horseback rounds over the festive period, Warwick fell foul of the same red tape on Saturday.

Warwick’s misdemeanour was a failure to notify the BHA of their intention to invite Hook Norton Brewery to bring their two shire horses to pull the dray before racing. The horses were caught on television guzzling from a pint glass but it was the racecourse left punch-drunk.

Jane Hedley, clerk of the course, said: “The brewery are our partners and the shire horses are regular visitors. I get clearance for them on the days we expect them, sending an email to the veterinary officer to inspect their passports.

“It was an oversight this time – a message about them coming didn’t get passed on. The shires are very popular and meet and greet racegoers before racing for an hour or so. They're gone before racing.”