What’s A Filly trainer on cruelty charge

Trainer Richard Guest is being prosecuted for failing to provide a horse with proper veterinary attention.

Animal charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) said it was taking action against him and two staff at his County Durham yard after the death of Kelso winner What’s A Filly, who was put down.

The case against Guest, who partnered Red Marauder to win the 2001 Grand National, is due to be heard at Durham Magistrates’ Court on July 28.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “The RSPCA is prosecuting racehorse trainer Richard Guest and two members of his staff – head girl Louise Tidman and head lad Richard Dalton – for failing to provide a horse with proper veterinary attention and treatment.

“We are unable to comment further until the court case has concluded.”

The Horseracing Regulatory Authority is aware of the case and examined all the horses in Guest’s yard after the mare died and found nothing wrong.

HRA spokesman Paul Struthers said: “We are aware the RSPCA is prosecuting Richard Guest and two members of his staff.

“We were called to examine the mare and subsequently examined all Guest’s horses and found nothing wrong with them.

“We await the results of the legal process.”