Riderless Kiwi racehorse leaps into crowd, injuring seven

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A riderless horse injured seven people when it leapt over a racetrack fence into the crowd in Australia yesterday.

Taranaki jumper Banna Strand cleared the 3m-high fence and plunged into unsuspecting punters during the Grand Annual Steeple at the Warrnambool meeting in Victoria.

Seven people were taken to hospital, two with suspected spinal injuries. Four of the injured were discharged last night.

A 2-year-old girl suffered a fractured collarbone, an 80-year-old woman was having x-rays on her shoulder and hip and a 12-year-old girl required x-rays on her foot.

Officials at the course said the 3m fence had been built just a few years ago to try to avoid an incident exactly like yesterday's.

Witness and Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses volunteer Ria Green said the horse had veered left off the track, before leaping the fence and going straight into the crowd. It missed her by less than a metre, she said.

"The mother of a 4-year-old girl picked her up and there was blood pouring out of her neck.

"People were running around trying to get their children. Everyone was absolutely hysterical.

"There were a lot of people lying on the ground, maybe 20."

One of two elderly women injured told the Herald Sun there was nothing that could be done to avoid the horse.

She said she saw "a big black blob coming over the fence from out of nowhere".

Banna Strand continued down the road surrounding the track before finally being pulled up near the front gate.

Only two of the eight runners managed to complete the 5500m course over 33 fences.

Racing Victoria chief Rob Hines promised a full investigation in conjunction with the Warrnambool Racing Club.

- Additional reporting agencies