AN INSPECTION at Musselburgh Racecourse after four horses died at the track on Monday has deemed it to be safe for racing.

The news was welcomed by racecourse general manager Bill Farnsworth as the course gets ready for its next jumps meeting on Monday.

An inspection today (Friday) by the sport's independent regulator the British Horseracing Authority found no issues with track conditions or layout.

Monday's race meeting saw four horses die in unrelated incidents – one collapsed and died during a race, while three others were destroyed after suffering serious injuries in other races.

READ MORE: Four horses die at Musselburgh Racecourse meeting

Animal rights organisation Animal Aid said that in the 11 years it had recorded race horse deaths, only twice before had this many horses died on a single day at an individual racecourse.

A statement from the British Horseracing Authority said: "The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today confirmed that Musselburgh's fixture on December 10 will go ahead as planned.

"This is following a thorough inspection by a member of the BHA's team of course inspectors carried out today, Friday, December 7.

"The BHA are in the process of fully investigating the circumstances surrounding the four fatalities at Musselburgh on Monday.

"Today's course inspection as part of that investigation has been completed and does not suggest there is any reason why Monday's fixture cannot go ahead."

Following today's inspection, Mr Farnsworth said that while the death of any racehorse was regrettable, he was pleased that safety standards and procedures at Musselburgh had been found to be of the highest standards.

He said: “The sad deaths of four horses at the one race meeting was, we believe, a unique but unfortunate coincidence and not a reflection on the racing conditions on that day, or of the precautions and procedures we follow at every race meeting staged at Musselburgh.

“We understand the concerns of the racing industry and the general public following such an unusual chain of events; however, we were confident that the deaths were not related to track conditions.

“It was unhelpful to see and hear certain commentators cast doubt over the safety-first approach that we take at Musselburgh and to call in to question our procedures.

"We were heartened to have the support of those closest to the incidents, the trainers and owners of the horses involved, and we extend our condolences to them at this sad time.

“Racing goes ahead on Monday as scheduled and we will endeavour to uphold best practice and to adhere to the highest safety and welfare standards in supporting the owners, trainers, jockeys and horses taking part in racing at Musselburgh.”

Jockey Brian Hughes, a regular competitor at Musselburgh, backed the course following Monday's deaths and said: “The course on Monday was a good as I have ridden on in the 13 years I have been riding at Musselburgh.

"The ground was very consistent, the hurdles and fences presented beautifully and in my opinion there were no track issues.”

While Lucinda Russell, the winning trainer of the 2017 Grand National, said: “I have raced my horses at Musselburgh for years and I will be happy to race them again at Monday’s meeting.”

Trainer Jimmy Moffatt, whose horse Smart Ruler collapsed and died in Monday’s handicap hurdle, said earlier that he did not have a problem with the course, and having walked it before the race, felt it was in good condition.