Fire a threat to horses

The stud, owned by Perth Racing chairman Ted van Heemst, is home to countless valuable broodmares as well as three internationally renowned stallions ” Alfred Nobel (Ireland), Balmont (US) and Trade Fair (UK).

Mr van Heemst’s son Troy, who runs the stud, said the fire burnt the scarp on the hills of the 100ha property and he had to move a number of horses away from the approaching flames.

‘It was a big fire; we knew there was nothing we could do until it hit the property,’ he said.

‘It’s all bush up there on the hill ” just long grass and trees. I knew there was no chance of stopping it’