A horse which appeared mysteriously after the Epsom Derby is not at risk or abandoned according to the RSPCA, despite a wound in its side.


Worried residents have feeding the white horse with black and brown patches, left on disused land in Chantilly Way, and have nicknamed it Chantilly Filly.

The animal is white with black and brown patches and the RSPCA has confirmed that it had been left in Ruxley Lane earlier this year - prompting complaints from residents.

Two horses had been left there.

The second horse was retrieved by its owner in May when work got underway to prepare the Ruxley Lane site, which is home to Ruxley Church, for a £2.8m development.

Jackie Coleman, who lives in Livingstone Park and visits the horse regularly, said: "The locals are keeping an eye on it - I will take it a bag of apples and other people feed it too, but that’s not enough.

"It has been there since the Epsom Derby and we’ve had a mixture of weather since then and it’s had no shelter. 

"It’s left out in the rain and in the scorching heat.

"It's sad that after two months the horse is still there. 

"Maybe it longs to be with other horses as it often looks longingly over the fence towards the stables opposite."

But a spokeswoman for the RSPCA said its officers have visited the horse four times and that it is being fed by its owner.

She said: "It is not an abandoned horse. 

"We know who the owner is and have been in contact with them whenever there’s been a need to, and the police are dealing with them too.

"The landowner is also in contact with the owner.

"The horse had a wound in its side, but it’s healing nicely and the horse is healthy. 

"We have no concerns about its welfare. It’s not without food or water.

"The owner is looking after the horse.  It’s not ideal, but on the whole list of welfare issues to do with horses, this is a minor issue."