Startled racehorse galloped through Prestonpans high street

A horse which broke free from a racecourse, then galloped through an East Lothian town has been recovered more than two miles away.

Video footage circulating on social media showed Rufio running through the streets of Prestonpans after unseating jockey Lucy Brown during a meet in Musselburgh.

The 10-year-old bay gelding was later returned to the stables unharmed after being halted by a member of the public.

A spokesperson for Musselburgh Racecourse said it was an “extremely rare occurrence”.

The horse was a 100/1 outsider in the 15:15 at the Virgin Bet Christmas Jumper Raceday on Monday.

Rufio was in the lead when the jockey was thrown from her seat and the horse broke through the track fence.

He was later seen running on Prestonpans High Street, about 2.5 miles (4km) away, still wearing his race saddle and number seven banner.

Ground staff were able to track the horse down before returning it to the stables in the horse ambulance.

Trainer Gary Rutherford told BBC Scotland Rufio was “home safe and well” following the incident, adding that jockey Ms Brown was also unharmed.

A Musselburgh Racecourse spokesperson said: “A horse unseated its rider in the last race and made its way out of the racecourse.

“This is an extremely rare occurrence and happily the horse was returned unscathed to the racecourse by our ground staff after its short journey towards Prestonpans.”