Racehorse dies after 'road rage' clash

Stable staff comfort the horse on the road

Police are investigating after a racehorse was killed in an alleged road rage incident.

Six-year-old Toblersong's leg was severed after a car apparently reversed into him.

The horse's injuries were so severe that he had to be destroyed.

Toblersong was one of four horses walking back to the stables at Epsom when the incident happened on Monday.

Brett Johnson: Stopped car

Trainer Brett Johnson said he had stopped a car to warn the driver to take care because of the horses.

When the motorist went to drive off Mr Johnson banged on the car.

The driver then allegedly stopped and reversed.

Mr Johnson said: "I stopped this bloke to slow him down and something just went terribly wrong. This is very upsetting.

'Devastating loss'

"You fall in love with each horse you have got. You don't like to see anything like this happen."

Stable girl Hannah Neale said: "It's devastating because we look after them every day.

"We have to tend to them. Everything they need we have to give.

Hannah Neale: "Like our children"

"They are spoilt like our children so when we lose one, it's not very nice."

Toblersong, who had moved to the stables from Newmarket three months ago, had won a number of minor races.

Police are treating the incident as one of possible criminal damage and are investigating alleged dangerous driving.

A man has been released on police bail while further inquiries are carried out.