THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched an investigation after a leading racehorse trainer accused an RAF pilot of deliberately flying low over her horses and jockeys.

Ann Duffield said the incident involving a Chinook helicopter had left her feeling “beyond angry”.

It took place close to Mrs Duffield’s yard in Constable Burton, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on Friday.

The trainer said the helicopter, on a low-flying manoeuvre from Dishforth Airfield, near Thirsk, flew at only 50ft above her racehorses and riders, causing the animals to panic and try to bolt.

The furious trainer, who was accompanying several riders, including husband George, at the time, admits she gestured at the pilot with two fingers, only to see the helicopter return and “buzz” the horses again.

She said: “This was a deliberate act. He came over us once, circled and then came back again. When we flicked two fingers, he came back again.

“The noise was indescribable and there can be no way in the world he didn’t see us.

“There is no excuse whatsoever for flying directly at horses and riders in what can only be described as a highly dangerous, irresponsible manoeuvre that endangered the lives of all of us and the horses.”

After a similar incident involving low-flying aircraft several years ago, the RAF agreed to place an informal no-fly zone around the stables.

Mrs Duffield said the MoD had failed to learn the lessons following the death of Heather Bell, a rider from Market Rasen, in Lincolnshire, who died when her horse was startled by a low-flying Chinook in 2003.

The helicopter, like the Chinook which flew over Mrs Duffield’s horses, was based at RAF Odiham, in Hampshire.

The trainer now plans to ask Richmond MP William Hague, and the British Horse Industry Confederation to take up the issue of military low-flying with the Government.

The RAF yesterday confirmed that the Chinook was originally from RAF Odiham and had been deployed to Dishforth for a routine lowlevel training mission.

A spokeswoman added: “The complaint has been referred to the Defence Flying Complaints Investigation Team at RAF Henlow and a report will be compiled.”