Chaos at Stratford Races as loose horse runs through spectator area forcing punters to rush aside
A LOOSE horse has caused chaos after charging around a packed enclosure at Stratford Races.
Punters were left running for cover during the bizarre incident on Saturday afternoon.
Break Point, trained by Derek Shaw, was sent off a 100-1 outsider in the opening race of the day.
But he unseated jockey Philip Armson at the first flight – before taking an unexpected detour into the packed stands.
The escaped horse found a gap to squeeze through and entered the public enclosure beside the betting ring.
Footage taken by racegoers showed Break Point trotting past stunned punters who dashed out of the way.
A quick-thinking member of staff managed to usher the horse between the paddock and the pre-parade ring.
No injuries to either racegoers or the five-year-old horse were reported, according to the Racing Post.
The Stratford stewards report read: “An enquiry was held to consider the circumstances surrounding a loose running Break Point, trained by Derek Shaw, which had unseated Philip Armson, and had entered a public enclosure during the race.
“The clerk of the course was interviewed and shown recordings of the incident.
“After hearing the evidence, a report was forwarded to the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.”
Footage of the incident quickly went viral on X, with racing fans praising the officials.
One wrote: “Well done to that member of staff!”
Another said: “I’ve never witnessed that in all the years I’ve been going!”
While a third added: “Glad everyone appears to be ok.”
It’s not the first time a loose horse has caused carnage in the last year.
100-1 outsider Rufio escaped from Musselburgh Races in Scotland last December, charging down a main road after escaping the track.
Clerk of the course Rory Innes said: “It was an unfortunate incident.
“The jockey was unseated and the horse did a full circuit and escaped through the exterior permanent railing.
“The ground staff and everybody went off after the horse and he was caught by a member of the public. He stopped at some traffic lights.
“We sent the horse ambulance to bring him back, got him checked over and he was absolutely fine, as was the jockey.”
While shocked travellers in Australia were stunned to see a 500kg thoroughbred making its way through a TRAIN STATION.
The horse had run out from a nearby property, headed off down the road and ended up on the nearby platform.