SATURDAY's race fixture at Haydock Park will go ahead in memory of a stalls handler who died at the course yesterday.

The racecourse has confirmed the six-race event, with the first race starting at 5.55pm, will be held in honour of RaceTech employee Stephen Yarborough who lost his life on Friday shortly before 3.30pm.

Emergency services were called at around 3.40pm on Friday to reports that a starting stall coupled up to a tractor had been in collision with a man on the racecourse. 

A police statement read: "An investigation into the circumstances of his death will be carried out by detectives and the Health and Safety Executive.

The collision happened shortly before the fourth race of the afternoon.

Stalls handlers are responsible for loading the runners into the stalls before the start of each race at flat race meetings.

Haydock Park general manager Jason Fildes: “After the tragedy of the loss of Stephen Yarborough we have discussed whether to stage this evening with his RaceTech colleagues and other parties.

“There is clear feeling that, having abandoned yesterday’s card, racing this evening should go ahead and be dedicated to Steven’s memory.

“Therefore tonight’s fixture will go ahead and we will pay our respects to Steve.

“We will ask the public to join us in doing so and jockeys have confirmed they will wear black armbands as a mark of respect for Steve’s life.

“Again I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Steve’s family, his RaceTech colleagues, and all who knew him.”

Tributes to Stephen have poured in from the horseracing community since yesterday.

Joint Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Horse Racing and MP for St Helens North Conor McGinn MP said: "I was shocked to hear about this awful tragedy at Haydock Park in my constituency.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephen Yarborough's family and those who knew him best. “Their loss is immeasurable and we send our deepest condolences.

"Stephen's death will be felt right across racing's tight-knit community, particularly by his fellow stalls handlers and here in the North West by everyone associated with our local course.

"It was a very sad day for British racing and all of us who love this great sport."