10 racehorses killed after truck crashes and bursts into flames

Police say two drivers were hospitalised but were not seriously injured in accident

A horse race in 2019 at Gulfstream Park, Florida, where one of the racehorses that was killed ran its debut race earlier this year. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Ten racehorses have died in the US after the truck that was carrying their trailer hit a concrete barrier and burst into flames, authorities said.

The drivers involved in the crash, which occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike in the early hours of Sunday morning, were taken to hospital. However, a police spokesman said they were not seriously injured.

According to local media, the horses had been on their way from Florida to New York when the accident took place.

Christophe Clement, the trainer whose stable looked after them, wrote on Twitter on Sunday: “We are all devastated by the news and heartbroken — we are working to understand what happened.”

West Point Thoroughbreds, which is based in New York state, owned two of the animals that were killed.

The company confirmed the news on Twitter on Sunday, writing that it was "sad" to share the news that two of its horses had died in the accident. The message went on to express relief that both drivers were safe.

One of the animals was Under the Oaks, a 3-year-old filly bred from the champion racehorse American Pharoah.

In 2015, American Pharoah became the first horse to win the prestigious American Triple Crown in more than 35 years - by coming first in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

Under the Oaks came sixth in her debut race at Gulfstream Park in Florida earlier this year.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

The incident happened a few miles away from where a Walmart vehicle collided with a van carrying a group of people in 2014. The comedian James McNair, known as Jimmy Muck, died in the crash.