Dan Cooper halts Haydock Races Today after track hole found

Haydock races today were delayed after officials found a hole in the middle of the track during the opening race. Dan Cooper said the surface would not be safe to race on today after a significant drainage issue was found at the scene.

Friendly Soul Stops the Flow

The problem emerged in the Listed Hedge Of Oak Stakes, the first race shown live by ITV Racing. Friendly Soul, the hot favourite despite being off the track since October 2024, was pulled up after appearing to take a false step under Oisin Murphy.

Officials then walked down to inspect the area where the incident happened. John Gosden and jockey Duran Fentiman prodded the surface with a stick, and a groundsman was able to push his arm into the hole up to his elbow.

Race 2 Under Inspection

BHA stewards posted, "Delay to Race 2 at Haydock due to inspection." A delegation of stewards and jockeys gathered around the same area with the clerk of the course for a further examination.

Cooper told ITV Racing, "In the first race Friendly Soul took a misstep so so straightaway we asked our team to go and look at the surface there. We would do it anytime." He added, "I suggested to the BHA stewards that straighaway this is formal inspection grounds, so we have just conducted that. We have looked at the track here and decided there is a significant drainage issue that has caused the misstep."

Haydock Inner Course

Staff began preparing Haydock's inner course for possible use for the rest of the meeting while a formal inquiry was taking place. The card had been set to feature the Temple and Sandy Lane Stakes, both Group races, so the inspection left the rest of Saturday’s programme hanging on whether the inner track could pass a racing check.

Cooper said, "Therefore this wouldn't be safe to race on today was my advice to the BHA. They are going to conduct a formal inquiry now and decide what to do for the rest of the day."