Haydock has denied it had inadequate security in place to deal the ugly mass brawl which broke out at the track on Saturday.
The incident once again raised questions about the amount of alcohol served at racetracks, how much it contributes to outbreaks of violence and whether racecourse groups are putting profits from alcohol sales ahead of ensuring a safe environment for the vast majority of its law-abiding racegoers.
Merseyside Police confirmed that one man had been arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of a controlled drug.
The Jockey Club have announced an inquiry into a 50-man brawl at Haydock Park on Saturday
At one point on Saturday, a mother and toddler were caught up as the violence which started close to the betting ring spilled over onto the lawns in front of the main grandstand. The pair were ushered to safety.
Video footage shot by racegoers showed sickening blows on individuals who had fallen to the floor. Eye witnesses estimated that between 40 and 50 racegoers had been involved but Haydock claimed that they had identified a core of around 15 who had been at the centre of the violence.
One user on Twitter, Julie Stamper, said: ‘Disgusting behaviour at Haydock Park Racecourse this afternoon. Total lack of security G4. Looks like Police arrived a good 25 minutes later. Horrifying and traumatic for everyone around including children.’
Punches were thrown and a witness said a woman and toddler were caught in the middle of it
Martin Morris wrote to Haydock Park on Twitter, saying: ‘Never coming again with the family with all the men fighting out of order, you should have more security on.’ A spokesperson for Haydock Park Racecourse said: ‘We are extremely disappointed by the incident, which is completely out of character with a Jumps fixture in February.
‘Our security teams were on hand to bring this under control and eject those involved, and we had ample security to do so.
‘We involved the Police who we are continuing to work with on this matter and those involved will be banned from Haydock Park and all other venues in our group. We take a zero tolerance approach because there can be no place for this type of behaviour in British horseracing.’
The Racecourse Association, the trade body which represents track, also responded with a statement which said its members were trying hard to crack down on violence on tracks.
The brawl gathered momentum and dozens of racegoers joined the melee in a short time
It said: ‘The RCA strongly condemns the appalling behaviour of a small group of race goers whose actions have taken the shine off a fantastic Saturday of racing.
‘Racecourse stewards and security teams are trained to detect and close down crowd disturbances in the rare incidents when they arise, as was the case Haydock Park.
‘Police are present at race meetings across the country where they deem it necessary in consultation with each racecourse. The RCA enjoys a close relationship with the police via the Horserace Police Practitioners Forum which enables us to share intelligence relating to events with our members.
‘As the first major sporting partner of Drinkaware, the RCA and its members are committed to promoting responsible drinking and a national campaign has been activated since 2015.’
Last year violence broke out at both Ascot and Goodwood, with the fighting at the southern track linked to supporters of Southampton and Portsmouth football clubs.
There were no Premier League fixtures on Saturday and some racegoers reported football chants during the course of an afternoon which featured trials for both the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National.
Eyewitnesses also spoke off a simmering atmosphere at the track which became more febrile as the afternoon proceeded.
Ascot is one of the tracks that has maintained higher level of vigilance to issues related to drink and recreational drug use since last summer’s incidents and that was again the case on Saturday, even for a meeting which would previously have been regarded as low risk.
One of its moves after last year’s fights was to abandon the use of ‘Hawkers’, who sold alcohol from tanks on their backs, which had made access to alcohol quicker and easier.
The violence will raise concern ahead of next month’s Cheltenham Festival, a meeting synonymous with top-class racing and free-flowing alcohol.
But a spokeswoman for the track refuse to comment on specific security arrangements, adding: ‘Safety and security is a focus of ours but we do not give out specific details.’
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