Mallard makes riders duck at Sedgefield! Bird's nest causes fence to be omitted

By Marcus Townend

PUBLISHED: 08:45 EST, 14 May 2013 | UPDATED: 01:59 EST, 15 May 2013

You sometimes hear about racehorses ‘ducking out’ at a fence but the phrase will take on a whole new meaning at Sedgefield racecourse this afternoon.

Runners and riders will bypass one of the fences after a Mallard built her nest and laid six eggs in the obstacle.

Clerk of the course Phil Tuck said: 'We raced on May 2 and she wasn’t there but in repairing the fence one of the groundstaff noticed the nest with five eggs.

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Spot the duck! A Mallard is nesting a fence six at Sedgewick

Spot the duck! A Mallard is nesting a fence six at Sedgewick

'An hour later there were six and she has been sat tight since.'

The incubation for Mallard eggs is up to 28 days and the track will let nature take its course.

There is also a chance of a coincidence winner today.

Outsider Teeiygee runs in the 4.30 race – a hurdle not a steeplechase – but is ridden by jockey Samantha Drake! 

Picturesque: A view from afar at Sedgewick Races taken earlier this month

Picturesque: A view from afar at Sedgewick Races taken earlier this month


 

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well done ,great story and the racecourse didn't duck the issue :)

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