Stable fire kills racehorses
Two racehorses have died after a fire ripped through a straw barn at the yard of Irish trainer Pat Hughes.
More than 40 horses had to be evacuated into a field after fire broke out at Mr Hughes’ yard near Bagenalstown in Co Carlow on Saturday 22 February.
The two horses – Billy The Snake and an unnamed gelding, were both put down after injuring themselves in the panic.
The straw barn was gutted in the blaze that was fanned by strong winds, although the yard escaped any damage.
Mr Hughes was at Fairyhouse races with his only runner of the day when he learnt of the fire and immediately left the course to return home.
“It could have been a disaster but in the circumstances we were probably lucky that we just lost two,” said Mr Hughes.” A couple of other horses were slightly injured and I had to withdraw them from their planned races, but otherwise it is business as usual.”
Mr Hughes’ wife Eleanor called the fire brigade after two of the stable lads rushed over to tell her the hay barn was on fire.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The fire burned for more than three hours before fire crews finally managed to extinguish the flames.
Mr Hughes said: “There is no electricity in the barn and it definitely wasn’t malicious. It was a very windy day so something could have blown in and started the fire – but I don’t think we will ever find out what.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
