Having left his County Dublin yard to go racing on Tuesday afternoon, trainer James McAuley was stunned by the news that 17 of his racehorses in training had broken loose from their pasture and were galloping over the local paved roads, despite having been ridden out that morning, reports racingpost.com.
Though all 17 were returned to his yard in Ireland, two horses had to be euthanized due to injuries incurred during the ordeal.
“It was a nightmare and I have no idea why it happened,” McAuley told racingpost.com. “Horses always go out to the field here and we always pride ourselves on being able to let them out.
“The same horses have always gone out before but something set them off, we don't know what. They broke through a gate out on to the road and after that it was a bit of a disaster.”
No cars or humans were injured during the horses' journey, believed to have continued on as far as eight kilometers away from the yard. The 15 surviving horses suffered nicks and cuts, as well as sore feet, and will be given plenty of time to recover.
Read more at racingpost.com.
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