Medical emergency delays racing at Musselburgh

A delay to racing at Musselburgh saw the final two races separated by just a matter of minutes, with runners for the final contest heading to the track as participants in the penultimate event returned to be unsaddled.

The action was put on an indefinite hold due to a medical incident before the 4.30 race, with the Watch Racing TV Now Handicap Chase finally getting underway at 4.59 and the runners passing the post at 5.06pm.

By the time Red Happy returned to the winner’s enclosure, runners and riders for the concluding 100% Racing TV Profits Back To Racing Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – initially due to be run at 5pm – were gearing up for action.

The final race eventually went off at 5.16pm with King Ulanda coming home the winner.

A statement on the racecourse X account said: “Racing was delayed prior to race six due to a medical emergency involving a member of the public, who was then taken to hospital by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“Thank you to our medical team for their immediate attention.”

Bill Farnsworth, general manager at Musselburgh, added: “The BHA officials in charge did an amazing job, and so did all the staff for co-operating.

“In these situations it is incredible how everybody pulls together so I take my hat off to the medics, the BHA officials, the stable staff – everybody.

“Our thoughts are with the individual who has been taken to hospital, that is the most important thing.”