Horse racing abandoned at Newbury after horses die

NEWBURY, ENGLAND: Horse racing at the Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire, England was abandoned on Saturday after two horses suddenly died, organizers said.

The incident happened just before the start of Race 1 and it was not immediately clear what killed the horses. "Very sadly two horses have died in the parade ring prior to the first race. Vets are carrying out inspections," a spokesperson said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff involved."

The spokesperson later added in a second statement that racing has been abandoned for Saturday due to the incident, but provided no other details about the deaths. "The reasons are unknown at this stage," it said.

Newbury Racecourse is a popular British racecourse and hosts one of Great Britain's 31 Group 1 flat races, the Lockinge Stakes.

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