A racehorse trainer admitted that he was ‘lucky to be alive’ after a car crashed into his horsebox, tragically killing the horse he was transporting to the races. Denis Quinn, a trainer based in Newmarket, was en route to Newcastle with two-year-old filly Calypso Breeze on Saturday, where she was set to compete in a 7f handicap.

Calypso Breeze had previously raced five times and celebrated victory in her fourth start at Wolverhampton in October. She was pegged as the second favourite for the £6,000 race, with Darragh Keenan scheduled to ride her. However, Quinn and the young filly never reached Gosforth Park due to a devastating road accident on the A1 dual carriageway in Leicestershire.

Speaking to The Mirror, Quinn said: “We were going to Newcastle when there was an accident. The traffic came to a standstill when another car ploughed into the back of us.

“My tummy was pushed right up against the steering wheel. Unfortunately the filly took the brunt of it. The lorry was a complete write-off and we were lucky to get out alive.”

“The driver was crying and apologising but it doesn’t bring the horse back to life. In 35 years driving this is the first accident I’ve been involved in.

“The police were there, the vets were there and a lovely guy, Sean Doyle, gave up his Christmas plans to get us home. Everyone was very shaken up but we are here to tell the tale. It’s so sad but it could have been a lot worse.”

Leicestershire Police said: “Police were called shortly before 8.40am on Saturday 20 December to a report of a collision involving three vehicles, one of which was towing a horsebox, on the A1 northbound between Stamford and Stretton.

“None of the people involved in the collision were injured but sadly the horse died at the scene. The carriageway was closed while the incident was dealt with but was reopened a short time later.”