Vets at the ready to ensure racehorses are good to go

At any National Hunt meeting, such as those at Fontwell Park, a minimum of three vets have to be in attendance.

For the Arundel Equine Veterinary Hospital, it is another day in the life of a vet.

"A perfect day at the races is incident-free and a nice drive home after knowing that all those attending the event had an enjoyable stress-free time," said Rob van Pelt.

He added: "Fontwell is a pretty safe course and the going is carefully managed."

At the figure-of-eight course at Fontwell, as well as the three vets from the Arundel Equine Veterinary Hospital there is also a vet from the British Horseracing Authority, with a team of official helpers, including stable security staff, catchers and people responsible for taking urine samples from horses.

It is the responsibility of the stable security to make sure the right horse is allowed into the stables and to restrict anybody coming and going from the stable area.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette July 16