Investigation launched into Aintree security breach
Peter Webbon, chief executive of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority, this evening announced a full investigation into breaches of security at Aintree that saw an undercover newspaper reporter gain entry to the stable of Grand National favourite Hedgehunter.
A man posing as a member of the stable staff entered the stabling area at the racecourse during racing yesterday and gained entry to the box containing Willie Mullins’ charge, winner of the world’s greatest steeplechase 12 months ago.
However, Webbon emphasised this evening that at no stage had the horse been at any risk and that at least one member of Mullins’ staff had been with the gelding at all times.
Closed-circuit footage taken from the stabling area clearly showed a man posing for a photograph alongside the horse, which was taken by Mullins’ driver.
Mullins this evening said that he was “not upset” over the incident.
“I have spoken to the girl, Mia, who looks after Hedgehunter and she was with him the whole time. It is certainly not unusual to be asked for this sort of thing, we get requests regularly.
“I think that if someone is determined to get into the stabling area then they will do. They appear to have done a good job in gaining entry.
“It is hard to manage security at these sort of events and I am satisfied with what they do here at Aintree.
“I have spoken to Mia and there was never any risk to the horse.”
Webbon said: “This was not a spontaneous act, it was planned in advance and timed to coincide with the Fox Hunters’ Chase when the security team might be less familiar with the stable staff entering and leaving.
“We will be speaking to all of the staff concerned in more detail to see what lessons can be learned from this. At this stage I cannot say if we will be taking action against the newspaper involved.”
