Preparations for Newmarket's opening fixture of the flat season next month have been hampered after both the track and running rail were damaged last week.
It is thought illegal hare coursers had gained access to the Rowley Mile and caused the damage. It is not the first time that the historic track and neighboring gallops have had issues with illegal hare coursers, and there was a similar incident on the racecourse itself in 2023.
More recently, similar individuals were behind a chase across the Waterhall training grounds last spring which resulted in a Jockey Club Estates door and fencing being ripped out.
On this occasion, the intruders drove down the middle of the Rowley Mile until veering off right at around the nine-furlong start and smashing through the stands' side running rail to make their escape.
It is just over six weeks to Newmarket's three-day Craven meeting, the track's traditional curtain-raiser, which this year starts April 15.
Clerk of the course Andrew Morris said: "They made some marks on the track which are largely superficial but it doesn't look great at this time of year when the grass isn't thriving.
Morris added, "We're confident the marks will be gone by the start of our season. It has been reported to the police and we'll work with them and Jockey Club Estates to discuss what we can do to stop such events happening in the future."
