Police accident

A RACEHORSE is this morning in an equine hospital after she was in collision with a BMW car.

Jessica Ennis, the horse

The collision involving two-year-old filly Jessica Ennis - named after the World and European Heptathlon Champion - happened at the junction of Hamilton Road and Rowley Road in Newmarket shortly before 9.30am yesterday morning.

The crash happened after a final stalls test ahead of her anticipated debut at Newmarket on Saturday.

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing owned grey is understood to have panicked in the stalls during routine stalls schooling.

She became loose before running onto the road where she was hit by the car.

Bosses at Highclere say there do not appear to be any breakages to the filly, who has been taken to the Newmarket Equine Hospital for further examination.

The rider Hayley Turner and the car driver were not injured in the crash.

Highclere’s owner Harry Herbert said: “This is an horrific freak accident and we are desperately concerned for the filly’s wellbeing.

“At this early stage we do not know exactly what the prognosis is but she is in very capable hands and we should soon hear news from the Newmarket Equine Hospital.

“We are all greatly relieved that Hayley and the driver of the car were unharmed.”

A police spokeswoman said they would be speaking with the driver involved in the collision today.

The crash happened just days after Jessica Ennis the athlete was invited to join Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. She is now involved in the firm’s English Channel syndicate, which includes Jessica Ennis the horse named.

Speaking prior to the crash, Ms Ennis said: “I was thrilled when I was invited to become a part owner of a race horse named after me - what an honour!

“My fiancée and I love horse racing, but are complete novices when it comes to knowing what to look for so it has been great to link up with Highclere who are hugely experienced.”