Fans blast ‘absolute shambles’ at Chelmsford with horses forced to stop midrace after ‘disgraceful’ blunder with stalls

HORSERACING fans were left irate after the final race at Chelmsford on Saturday was VOIDED because the starting stalls weren’t removed from the track.

The 20:30 at the Chelmsford City Racecourse featured nine runners vying for a £13,085 prize pot. 

https://twitter.com/RacingTV/status/1855350450867826785

RACING TV

The nine-horse 20:30 race at Chelmsford on Saturday was initially going off without a hitch[/caption]

RACING TV

But it descended into chaos before final straight when it emerged that the starting stalls were still on the track[/caption]

RACING TV

Race overseers had to jump on to the track to wave hazard flags and stop the approaching pack[/caption]

RACING TV

Jockeys managed to stop their thundering horses and avoid a potential catastrophe[/caption]

The race started with no issue and looked set to conclude without any trouble, just as the previous eight had earlier in the day. 

But, for some reason, the starting stalls remained on the track as the pack approached the final straight, with the attached tractor somehow failing to remove them.

And in worrying scenes, race officials were forced to run on the track and wave hazard flags as the horses thundered towards the final straight. 

Thankfully, the jockeys managed to slow down their horses and no one was harmed. 

After becoming aware of the issue, one of Racing TV’s two-man commentary team said: “The stalls are still on the tracks here.

“So I think we’re going to have a bit of an issue here. 

“They’re going to have to come to a halt here, somewhere, because the starling stalls are still on the track. 

“And this is going to be a stopped race.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

“And there’s not much room here for the runners. “

His co-commentator said: “Oh dear, oh dear.

“They’ve had to call this a stopped race because the stalls were still on the track. 

“What a sorry end that is. 

“And well done to all jockeys being able to pull up their mounts, particularly as they were beginning to quicken going into the home straight in the best race of the night.”

Racing fans couldn’t believe their eyes wih some calling for Chelmsford to be stripped of holding races.

One added: “Imagine backing the cruising, orange and black horse and it getting voided cos of this.”

And another said: “Absolutely shocking they got this far around.

“Disgraceful from all staff involved at Chelmsford!”

One remarked: “Disgraceful, dangerous, embarrassing. Beyond drama.”

Another chimed in: “Add that to the list of shambolic events in British racing this week.”