Horse Racing

Champion jockey tweets Bath flooding

ESPN staff

October 21, 2013

Richard Hughes hit out at the organisation which runs Bath after Sunday's meeting was abandoned due to flooded changing rooms.

Hughes said human sewage had appeared from the drains, and after only four races the day was halted.

"It is bad enough riding for prize money which is a pittance but why should we have to put up with this?" was Hughes' reaction to events that occurred.

"The powers that be wouldn't work in those conditions and on health and safety grounds it shouldn't occur in this day and age. We are very sorry what has happened but it was not the jockeys fault."

And he tweeted a picture of the unfortunate situation he and his fellow jockeys found themselves in:

These are the conditions bath racecourse ask us to work in pic.twitter.com/pMdepAd3zu
— Richard Hughes (@hughesiejockey) October 20, 2013

ARC, who are in charge of meetings at Bath as well as another 15 tracks in the country, issued a statement which read: "Unfortunately Bath has had to abandon due to torrential rain causing localised flooding.

"Despite efforts made by the racecourse, as the downpours occurred , drains were unable to cope with the continuous heavy rain, which affected the weighing room area.

"Jockeys were offered alternative facilities but after discussion with the stewards it was decided that racing had to be abandoned. We will be looking into this and doing everything we can to ensure this situation does not re occur next season."

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