Two races run within 20 minutes at Musselburgh after medical emergency leads to delay

Two races took place within a 20-minute window in order to complete its jumps card before sunset after a medical emergency led to a lengthy delay.

Racing was paused before the final two races after a member of stable staff collapsed and required medical attention before being transferred to hospital. The individual was said to be in a stable condition.

A BHA spokesperson said: "A member of stable staff was attended by paramedics in the stables. He was then taken from the racecourse by ambulance in what is understood to be a stable condition."

It meant the penultimate race, scheduled at 4.30, started 29 minutes late. It finished at 5.05 and horses for the finale which was scheduled for 5.00 were already mounted and on the way to post moments later. The final race was off at 5.15, just 15 minutes later than scheduled, and four minutes before sunset.

Racecourse chief executive Bill Farnsworth said: "Full credit to the BHA officials, trainers and stable staff to get it all coordinated and get that last race on. How they did it is nothing short of a miracle.

"The most important thing, though, was getting the individual attended to by the medics and taken to hospital in a stable condition."

Red Happy landed the penultimate race, the 2m7½f handicap chase, having traded at 999-1 in running on the Betfair Exchange, while King Ulanda crossed the line moments after sunset to land the 1m7½f conditionals jockeys' handicap hurdle for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

"It's great that they got the race on," said Greenall. "He'd been a little disappointing and we thought the handicapper had been a little harsh. I couldn't see him winning off that mark [97]. The track and ground has suited and everything has just fallen into place for us."

Quinlan collects

Trainer Lizzie Quinlan landed a double when Minella Youngy took the 2m4½f handicap chase before Evenwood Sonofagun got the verdict in a tight finish to the 3m handicap hurdle.

Read more:

Billy Loughnane fires in 697-1 treble to continue flying start to 2025 

'Bombproof' Rebel's Romance lands Qatar feature again to launch another Sheema Classic bid 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.