Stalls handlers are being put at risk because some recruits to the job lack sufficient experience of working with horses, the Guardian has been told. According to two men who have done the job and remain in touch with others who still do it, handlers employed by Arena Racing Company often lack the skills to ensure the job can be done safely, a charge which ARC denies. The accusation comes at a particularly sensitive time for those who load racehorses into the starting stalls, two months after the death of Stephen Yarborough, who suffered fatal injuries when run over by the stalls as they were manoeuvred into position at Haydock. That accident, which remains the subject of an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive, involved a team of handlers employed by Racetech, not ARC, which employs its own teams at only five tracks: Doncaster, Windsor, Lingfield, Southwell and Wolverhampton. Godolphin line up Masar for next year’s Classics after Sandown success Read more “My concerns are not particularly about Racetech,” one of the men said. “I’m worried more about the standard of staff
Authentic Wily Peralta Womens Jersey that ARC are employing. They just seem to employ anybody. They’ve had guys with little or no experience of horses, never mind racehorses. “Having people like that around affects the performance of the team. It’s a pretty dangerous environment to be working in. Ninety-five per cent of the time it’s all very routine but, when something does kick off, you need guys who know exactly what they’re doing and who are capable of reacting in the right way. In other words, you need people who are used to handling thoroughbred racehorses and who act almost instinctively. ARC pay reasonably well but often I think it’s just a case of making up the numbers. I remember one guy, he was asked by a top jockey to adjust the bit in the horse’s mouth and he just didn’t know how to. He was that clueless.” The other man said of ARC: “They seem to be letting all the good, experienced guys go and bringing in new guys who have no idea about the job.” Advertisement However, neither man pointed to any particular incident of danger involving ARC handlers, a point that was underlined in ARC’s response to the accusations. “ARC takes very seriously the wellbeing and welfare of anyone visiting and working on our racecourses,” the company said in a statement. “Stalls handlers can come from a range of backgrounds but the majority would be familiar with handling horses, either through working in other areas of racing or other equestrian disciplines. All team leaders make sure they have a team of 11 people with the skills needed for all aspects of a raceday.” The statement outlined a detailed recruitment process used by
http://www.authenticsandiegopadres.com/Jhoulys-Chacin-Jersey ARC, including a six-day training programme designed in consultation with the racing industry. “This includes an induction day followed by controlled contact with horses on the following days, as and when deemed appropriate by the team leader.” Each applicant’s CV is reviewed for suitability by the British Horseracing Authority, ARC said, and it is a BHA starter who makes the final decision about what should happen to the applicant at the end of their training; they can be accepted, rejected or sent for more training. ARC’s statement said “the vast majority” of applicants are accepted as stalls handlers after the six days’ training. Once hired, each handler has his performance monitored by the team leader and BHA starters. One of those who spoke to the Guardian said working practices at Racetech and ARC have been tightened since Yarborough’s fatal accident. “I gather people are now positioned on either side of the stalls and at the back of them when they are being manoeuvred on to the track,” he said. “In the past, we would all watch out for each other, of course, but I’m told it’s become much more regimented now.” ARC’s statement said: “It has been repeatedly emphasised to stalls handlers that they should not travel on the stalls when they are moving.” On days when strong winds or other weather conditions present an
Johnny Manziel Youth Jersey additional risk ARC handlers are told not to climb into the stalls as they normally would to change advertising panels between racesHe also knows it will not be easy against Pulev, who seems to be that rare beast: an opponent who is actually looking forward to facing Joshua in the ring. “Boxing-wise he’s more a technical fighter who will try to break you down,” he said, astutely. “Personality-wise I think he’s a macho man. Advertisement “But I can’t take him lightly,” he said, dismissing suggestions the mandatory IBF contender would be an easy payday. “He is a good fighter. Tyson, Foreman, Holyfield are all saying ‘great fight, he is good for the division’. They are the opinions that matter. The wider audience were telling me one thing but the greats another, you have to pick who you listen to. I will take advice from the great athletes who have walked the path.” Joshua even played down the implications of Pulev’s one defeat – a fifth?round knockout by Klitschko in 2014, saying: “He has probably corrected those mistakes
Adidas Ryan O'Reilly Jersey now. A man that loses will always come back stronger because he has a lot more to prove. He has sat patiently and waited for his opportunity.” Pulev, having taken relish in giving bone-crunching handshakes to journalists on his first visit to Cardiff, said he had seen weaknesses in Joshua’s fight with Klitschko. “No one is invincible. He had those weaknesses and he still has those weaknesses.” When it was put to him that Joshua’s stamina might be a particular issue, given he looked out on his feet halfway through the Klitschko bout, Pulev smiled and said one word in English: “Maybe.” He added: “I think the mistake Klitchsko made was he wasn’t prepared to take a risk to win the fight. I won’t make that mistake.” Pulev also insisted his experience in the ring and on the streets meant he would have no fear stepping into the lion’s den next month. “Joshua has had a good career. However, he hasn’t got my experience. I started boxing when I was 12 years old. And it is not just the ring where I am experienced, but the streets as well, which is another advantage.” Were they frightening ones, he was asked? “Maybe for my opponents, yes, it was very scary, but for me it was OK,” he said, smiling. “Personally as a man I love challenges. That’s what makes me very happy. It makes me alive.” He certainly sounded like he meant it. Although he may feel rather differently when he sees Joshua storming at him from across the ring
