legionella

Legionella has been found safe and well in the changing rooms of a Northampton racecourse. The horse's owner is understandably relieved.

"We thought, after he disappeared, that we'd never see her again" said a stable hand "We were sick with worry. In the back of our minds was the constant thought that she would become another Shergar."

The drama began as the jockeys were called for the 3:40 race yesterday afternoon. Legionella was not in the stalls where she should have been when the jockey went to collect her and there were visible signs that indicated a struggle had taken place. Stewards from the course joined workers from the stables in a frantic search of the facility.

"We'd almost given up hope when one of the stewards heard a high pitch scream from the changing rooms" continued the stable hand. "We ran to investigate and found him unconscious on the floor with steam billowing from the shower area. A few seconds later Legionella stepped out of the cubicles wearing a towel and a shower cap and just stood there looking at us quizzically."

After everyone calmed down it turned out that an overwhelming desire for cleanliness, a faulty watch and a large spider crawling across the floor of the changing room caused the chain of events that lead to to owner and horse being lost then reunited. "I just wanted a shower before the race" said Legionella "but these bloody hooves are useless for opening the stable door bolts."