Stalls handlers are being put at risk because some recruits to the job lack sufficient experience of working with horses, the Guardian has been told. According to two men who have done the job and remain in touch with others who still do it, handlers employed by Arena Racing Company often lack the skills to ensure the job can be done safely, a charge which ARC denies.

The accusation comes at a particularly sensitive time for those who load racehorses into the starting stalls, two months after the death of Stephen Yarborough, who suffered fatal injuries when run over by the stalls as they were manoeuvred into position at Haydock. That accident, which remains the subject of an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive, involved a team of handlers employed by Racetech, not ARC, which employs its own teams at only five tracks: Doncaster, Windsor, Lingfield, Southwell and Wolverhampton.

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“My concerns are not particularly about Racetech,” one of the men said. “I’m worried more about the standard of staff that ARC are employing. They just seem to employ anybody. They’ve had guys with little or no experience of horses, never mind racehorses.

“Having people like that around affects the performance of the team. It’s a pretty dangerous environment to be working in. Ninety-five per cent of the time it’s all very routine but, when something does kick off, you need guys who know exactly what they’re doing and who are capable of reacting in the right way. In other words, you need people who are used to handling thoroughbred racehorses and who act almost instinctively. ARC pay reasonably well but often I think it’s just a case of making up the numbers. I remember one guy, he was asked by a top jockey to adjust the bit in the horse’s mouth and he just didn’t know how to. He was that clueless.”

The other man said of ARC: “They seem to be letting all the good, experienced guys go and bringing in new guys who have no idea about the job.”

However, neither man pointed to any particular incident of danger involving ARC handlers, a point that was underlined in ARC’s response to the accusations. “ARC takes very seriously the wellbeing and welfare of anyone visiting and working on our racecourses,” the company said in a statement.

“Stalls handlers can come from a range of backgrounds but the majority would be familiar with handling horses, either through working in other areas of racing or other equestrian disciplines. All team leaders make sure they have a team of 11 people with the skills needed for all aspects of a raceday.”

The statement outlined a detailed recruitment process used by ARC, including a six-day training programme designed in consultation with the racing industry. “This includes an induction day followed by controlled contact with horses on the following days, as and when deemed appropriate by the team leader.”

Each applicant’s CV is reviewed for suitability by the British Horseracing Authority, ARC said, and it is a BHA starter who makes the final decision about what should happen to the applicant at the end of their training; they can be accepted, rejected or sent for more training. ARC’s statement said “the vast majority” of applicants are accepted as stalls handlers after the six days’ training. Once hired, each handler has his performance monitored by the team leader and BHA starters.

One of those who spoke to the Guardian said working practices at Racetech and ARC have been tightened since Yarborough’s fatal accident. “I gather people are now positioned on either side of the stalls and at the back of them when they are being manoeuvred on to the track,” he said. “In the past, we would all watch out for each other, of course, but I’m told it’s become much more regimented now.”

ARC’s statement said: “It has been repeatedly emphasised to stalls handlers that they should not travel on the stalls when they are moving.” On days when strong winds or other weather conditions present an additional risk ARC handlers are told not to climb into the stalls as they normally would to change advertising panels between races.

Godolphin’s Turkish delight

Godolphin’s resurgence this season continued apace on Sunday, when Secret Number, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, landed the valuable International Bosphorus Cup at Veliefendi.

This Group Two contest, with a first prize of £153,846, is one of the highlights of the Turkish season and, despite not having raced for 295 days, the seven-year-old son of Raven’s Pass showed his young rivals a clean pair of heels with a most professional performance, coming home two lengths ahead of Andrew Balding’s Elbereth.

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Gérald Mossé, the winning jockey, described the victory as “nice and easy” and claimed that he “always had the race under control”.

Bin Suroor was delighted with the win and, when asked where now for the victor, admitted he had thought no further than Turkey.

He said: “Secret Number has won well; he had pleased me before this race. The pace was slow and this was his first start for a long time, which is why he pulled hard. The jockey did well again. There is no plan at the moment for the horse but we will look for another Group race for him.”

It was also a big pay day for George Scott, the young Newmarket handler, who won the Group Three International Trakya Trophy on the same card. His progressive two-year-old Another Batt took the £98,000 first prize under a well-judged ride from Oisin Murphy. The son of Windsor Knot was impressive as he strode home a length and a half clear of Armondo with Yele taking third.

George Baker’s Chess Move proved troublesome at the start and could never really get competitive.

Scott enthused: “Oisin gave him a perfect tactical ride. He’s got good gate speed in this grade and was able to hold a good position. We were keen to come down the middle of the track where the better ground was. He tends to idle a little bit when he’s in front so he was good value for the winning margin in the end.

“He’s a very versatile horse and he’s improving physically the whole time. He’s put on 28 kilos since he joined us which, considering he has run seven times, is brilliant. As he tries so hard it may be worth travelling him a little bit. He’s taken this trip very well. I would imagine he might be on course for a short break before maybe a trip to Dubai, but that is something we’ll all discuss.”

Another Batt runs in the colours of Excel Racing, of which the Southampton striker Charlie Austin is a member.

Austin was on hand to witness the victory. He told the Press Association: “It was very exciting. The plan worked. When George put the idea to me a couple of months ago I was a bit apprehensive but it was a no-brainer in the end. I’m so pleased. I didn’t know what this place was like. They’ve been so good to us.

“Not only that, I’m pleased for Tom and Chris, the two stable lads who have come over with him. I never realised how much hard work all the stable staff put in. It’s brilliant for me, George, the syndicate and everyone back at home.”

Persuasive will try to go one better than 12 months ago when she lines up for the Coolmore Stud Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The John Gosden-trained filly finished second to Alice Springs in the Group One over a mile last September and was subsequently off the track until five weeks ago.

She shaped with great promise, despite having no luck in running, when only beaten a length and three-quarters in fifth place behind Roly Poly in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville.

“She’s good and, all being well, she’ll go to Ireland for the Matron Stakes,” said Chris Richardson, managing director for the owners, Cheveley Park Stud.“She was a bit unfortunate last time. She got caught in a sandwich at Deauville when the two groups came together and she never really got a run.

“Once she got clear she started to run on so we were encouraged by that.

“It’s been one of those years for us so it would be nice if luck could turn for us.”

MONDAY’S TIPS by Chris Cook

Brighton



2.00 Daybreak 2.30 Strictly Carter 3.00 Haveoneyerself 3.30 Alwaysandforever 4.00 Good Business 4.30 Ambuscade 5.00 Tulip Dress 5.30 Rubheira

Ripon

2.10 Mokaatil 2.40 Porchy Party 3.10 Zack Mayo 3.40 Tarboosh 4.10 Pepita 4.40 Gakku

Windsor

1.50 Take Me With You 2.20 Go Now Go Now (nb) 2.50 Lester Kris 3.20 Vimy Ridge (nap) 3.50 Royal Line 4.20 Sandy Shores 4.50 Oh It’s Saucepot 5.20 Kings Academy