RACEHORSES BURNED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20072, 9 October 1928, Page 15

RACEHORSES BURNED.

SIX FILLIES AND COLTS. yiSCOUNT LASCELLES* LOSS. VALUABLE YOUNG BLOODSTOCK. [fhom our own corrb:spondent.] LONDON, Sept. 7. "Viscount Lascelles suffered a severe loss. jis ii racchorso owner last; night when three yearling fillies and three colt foals which were being reared in the Goldsborough paddock were burned. It is understood that the fillies had beon intended for entry in the Oaks, and they had already shown such good promise that any one might have turned out capable of winning this classic race. It is also understood that they had not been insured, and the loss may be put at several thousands of pounds. The horses had been out in the padfleck and had been put back into their looso boxes at 3.30 in the afternoon. Two hours later tho alarm of fire was received. The destroyed building comprised a range of looso boxes and a forage Btore, the length of tho whole being about 72ft., and about 250 yds. from the hall—a clistance which placed tho estate fire brigade in some difficulty, as tho hose-pipe was short by four lengths. News of the outbreak was telephoned to Lord Lascclles, who was at Malton, with Frincess Mary, for tho opening of the new headquarters of tho British Legion. Tho cause of the fire is at present unknown. A strict inquiry is to be made into all the circumstances. Built of creosoted wood, with a red-tiled roof and stone lidge, tho building "went like a box of matches." As tho smoke and steam caused by the water thrown on to the smouldering remains lifted somewhat one could see the charred bodies of the animals lying among the debris of brokeu roofing and unconsumed pieces of woodwork. When tho alarm was given the stud groom and others who rushed to the boxes in the hope ofc saving the animals found it was impossible to approach closely tho remains of the building owing to the fierceness of tho fire. The thick smoke prevented them from seeing what was happening insido the building. Nothing could be heard even of the animals. Meanwhile, warning had been telephoned to Harrogate Fire Brigade, who were quickly at Goldsborough. When they arrived, spare lengths of hose were passed round to the Goldsborough staff, and the Harrogate men obtained an excellent supply of water from a farm pond over threo hundred yards from the scene of tho fire. Nothing, however, could be done to save oven a stick or a slate from destruction.