A section of electricity cable has been removed from the paddock area at Newbury following the deaths of two horses at the course on Saturday.Fenix Two and Marching Song were about to be mounted by their jockeys on the grass on the far side of the parade ring prior to the first race when they fell to the ground and died, while Kid Cassidy and The Merry Giant were also affected.Speculation from the connections of the stricken horses was that they may have suffered from some form of electric shock
A section of electricity cable has been removed from the paddock area at Newbury following the deaths of two horses at the course on Saturday.
Fenix Two and Marching Song were about to be mounted by their jockeys on the grass on the far side of the parade ring prior to the first race when they fell to the ground and died, while Kid Cassidy and The Merry Giant were also affected.
Speculation from the connections of the stricken horses was that they may have suffered from some form of electric shock.
Stuart Hogarth, operations director for Southern Electric Power Distribution confirmed the cable had been taken away for examination.
"A section of electricity cable has been removed from the paddock area for further detailed inspection," Hogarth said.
"Our initial on-site investigations last night confirm there was no danger to the public."
Stephen Higgins, joint managing director of Newbury racecourse, said the track had been passed as safe.
"We will wait for further information to be provided to us by Southern Electric Power Distribution who we are in daily contact with," he said.
"We have been reassured that the site is safe and we hope that the final results of this investigation will be established as soon as possible."
The Novices' Hurdle went ahead, with Kid Cassidy being withdrawn at the start.
The Merry Giant did line up but finished tailed off and was reported to be "badly traumatised" in the immediate aftermath of the contest.
The remainder of the meeting was abandoned on health and safety grounds and talks are on-going about whether the card can be rescheduled.
British Horseracing Authority head of communications Paul Struthers said on his Twitter page rumours horses suffered burn marks were incorrect.
"Just to be clear re @NewburyRaces not one vet, trainer or jockey mentioned anything about burn marks in, b4 or after official enquiry," he said.
Marching Song's trainer Andy Turnell said the five-year-old's death was a huge blow for everyone at his stable.
"My head travelling lad, Colin, held the horse's head and said he felt some form of electricity through his head," Turnell said.
"The horse suffered slightly but he was dead within 30 seconds. It was very quick.
"I understand that horses are much more susceptible to electric shocks than we are and they wear steel plates on their feet for racing.
"We're a very small yard and he was one of our best horses, so it's very disappointing."