'It's taken a horse to get run over' - accident blackspot set for improvements

A racehorse road crossing in Newmarket where trainer George Margarson’s daughter Katie was in a collision with a car whilst on horseback is being made safer after a campaign.

St Mary’s Square, a T-junction in the middle of the town, is a notorious accident blackspot and one of three sites set for major safety improvements in the town later this year.

Filly Luna Wish was at one point on the bonnet of the saloon car with Margarson somehow keeping the partnership intact, although one of her stirrups smashed a hole through the windscreen.

Despite cuts to her legs, Luna Wish was given the all-clear, as was the rider, although the driver was in shock after the incident in June.

The car involved in the accident at St Mary's Square last summer

Also set for improvements by Suffolk County Council is the Bury Road crossing adjacent to the Severals, which is the busiest in the town and can host upwards of 1,000 horse movements per day.

Lindsay Devin, Jockey Club Estates training ground executive, said: “These two crossings were picked because they are very dangerous as they are both in very busy areas. Proposals for St Mary’s Square included new surfacing and road markings warning of the crossing, new railings, and flashing warning signs activated by riders.”

There is also to be a clearly marked and properly surfaced area for pedestrians to cross at the junction of the two roads.

George Margarson said: “My daughters Rosie and Katie have been campaigning for these changes since that accident last summer and we’re all over the moon. It’s been a long time coming and they’ve done a great job as it’s not easy fighting the council.”

He added: “It’s taken a horse to get run over to bring about changes and I know they are also upgrading the crossing on the Bury Road, which will be helpful.”

There are also plans afoot to make a part of the cross-town horsewalk, close to the Fordham Road crossing, safer for riders, parents and children after a recent incident involving a horse of James Ferguson’s.

The horse had been frightened by a child on their way to the nearby St Louis Catholic Academy and slipped over, landing on its rider, who was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

Margarson said: “The crossing by the school is one we’ve also been pushing for as there are a lot of children crossing there and it’s already been a problem. I think they’d been against any changes to the railings there until this unfortunate incident and now the school is in favour of it.”

Read these next:

'I should have checked' - trainer fined after buying wrong horse in sales mix-up

Teddy Grimthorpe becomes Imad Al Sagar's new racing manager

Matt Griffiths 'might sit on a horse' this weekend as he continues his recovery

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute