No long-term concerns after roof on Epsom stand ripped off
The racecourse was evacuated, although there were no reported injuries reported to any employees.
An investigation will begin once constructors assess the damage to the Duchess Stand, opened in 2009 as part of a £38million development to the course, which stages the Investec-sponsored Derby each June.
Epsom’s PR manager, Jonno Spence, said: “On health and safety grounds they had to move, but it meant we would have had no scanner and no PA system.
“You are not allowed to race without a PA system and that is why we’ve had to abandon, not because of the wind. They’ve reopened the road around the racecourse now and we are expecting the clean-up operation to begin.
“Only 5% of the roof is damaged, it’s just the insulation that has blown about which makes it look worse than it is. It’s certainly not the case that the whole roof has blown off.
“There is absolutely no danger to the first meeting in April.”
Yesterday’s card at Ayr was also abandoned.
Clerk of the course Emma Marley gave the jumps fixture the go-ahead following a 7.15am inspection due to the threat of rain. But while the ground was raceable, high winds in the area took their toll.
Prospects for mixed for racing in Britain for the rest of the week. Chepstow’s meeting on Friday is already under threat and an inspection has been called for 8.30am tomorrow as the track is currently waterlogged. Tomorrow’s jumps meeting at Lingfield could also be in jeopardy as parts of the course are waterlogged.
