Ascot-winning trainer’s stablehand died after ‘being kicked in the head by a horse’ at Kempton Park Racecourse
Ken Dooley collapsed at world-famous race ground after being attacked by horse believed to belong to Ascot-winning trainer
A STABLEhand who died after allegedly being kicked in the head by a horse at Kempton Park has been named.
Ken Dooley, described by friends as the “loveliest, kindest” man and an experienced groom, was seen stumbling out of the stable yard before collapsing at the world famous course last night.
A jockey said Mr Dooley was kicked by a horse, which reportedly belongs to Ascot-winning trainer Amanda Perrett.
The Surrey course was closed and the last two races abandoned after police were called at around 9.20pm on Saturday.
In a statement today, Ms Perret said: "It is with huge sadness that I can confirm we lost our friend and colleague Ken Dooley after an incident in the stable yard at Kempton last night.
"Ken had been with us for seven years and was a very special member of our close-knit family business at Coombelands.
"He was an excellent employee, very experienced with racehorses having worked all of his life with them as a jockey, trainer and jockey coach around the world. He was always first into work in the morning, hugely enthusiastic and dedicated to his horses and a very much valued and integral member of our team.
"I would like to thank my staff, Brian Clifford, the stable and racecourse staff at Kempton, Hugo Palmer's travelling head lad, Dr Lucy Free and the ambulance service who we so quickly there to help Ken.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time."
Mr Dooley, who was in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene after being tended to by doctors.
He was said to have been kicked by Parnassian, Ms Perret's third runner last night. It has no past history of aggression or poor temperament, the Telegraph reported.
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said the death was being treated as unexplained and inquiries were ongoing.
Jockey Martin Dwyer, who was riding at the fixture, told Racing UK: "Unfortunately, horses do kick out and I believe that's what happened. They have metal shoes on and if you get a kick from a horse it can be very serious.
"Horses don't mean to do it - if they feel frightened or threatened; if they feel someone is too close or something they do kick out but fortunately it is very rare. It is very sad."
Racheal Kneller, also a jockey, said: “Terrible scenes at Kempton stable yard tonight...sadly someone had been kicked quite badly. Keeping everything crossed for them.”
Trainers and top jockeys tweeted their shock as news of Mr Dooley's injuries emerged.
Rhianna Lopez, who used to work with Mr Dooley at Coombelands, said: “It's with a heavy heart and sadness to find out that an amazing guy that I had the privilege of living with at Coombelands has sadly passed away.
“Ken was the loveliest, kindest human there was and hearing his great stories about travelling the world within the racing industry whilst we used to cook dinner in the kitchen will be a great way to remember him.”
Racegoers at the Sunbury-on-Thames track were told that the evening's final two races were to be cancelled via a loudspeaker announcement.
Kempton’s director of racing Barney Clifford said: “Due to a serious incident in the stable yard racing has had to be abandoned.”
Nick Rust, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said he was not yet able to confirm the circumstances surrounding around the death.
"I am sure that I speak for everyone at the BHA and everyone in British horseracing this morning when I state that we are truly devastated about the events which unfolded at Kempton Park last night.
"Our sympathies go to the family, friends and colleagues of the individual who has lost his life, and the entire industry will join in mourning over this tragedy.
Stalls handler Stephen Yarborough was killed at Haydock on July 21.
Mr Yarborough died in a freak accident when he was run over as the stalls were moved. The rest of that meeting was also called off as police launched an investigation.