Horse racing abandoned as jockeys head for cover amid total chaos

Racing was abandoned at Auteuil on Saturday afternoon due to weather becoming increasingly severe, with the final race on the card being stopped due to a hail storm

Racing at Auteuil was called off on Saturday afternoon due to worsening weather conditions. Weather warnings had been issued in the area before the start of the card, with the forecast deteriorating as the day progressed.

As the final race on the card, scheduled for 15.07, approached, winds intensified and a hail storm broke out. Despite the challenging conditions, the race went ahead, with jockeys clearly distracted by the weather.

Videos revealed hail stones the size of golf balls pelting the track, leading most of the field to pull up – as jockeys acknowledged the rapidly deteriorating safety conditions.

The klaxon was then sounded on course, with officials deciding that the race should be halted due to the extreme weather.

Leaves and sticks continued to fall in the area, with some marshals on the course also moving to avoid the worst of the conditions. As this was the last race of the day, the severe weather brought an extraordinary premature end to the card.