25 horses killed in devastating California forest fires

A rampaging forest fire in southern California killed 25 racehorses and destroyed top trainers barns last Thursday (7 December).

Dubbed 'Lilac', the fire spread rapidly through northeast San Diego quickly engulfing eight barns at the San Luis Rey (SLR) training centre in Bonsall where nearly 500 racehorses are stabled.

Horses were turned loose by stable staff to enable them to escape the rapidly spreading fires fuelled by hurricane force winds of up to 60 mph.

Racing staff and trainers risked their lives to free the horses from their stalls and herd them into the safer training track.

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Article written by: Caroline Bankes