British orchestra swaps concert hall for finishing post, performs at live horse race

Orchestra plays live soundtrack to horse race

LONDON — Fiery horses and a cloud of dust, but no hearty “Hi-Yo Silver.”

A British horse racing track said Thursday it asked the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to give a recital at its finishing post, hoping to wow spectators and spur the animals to quicken their pace.

Kempton Park race course, just south of London, staged the unique event on Wednesday, as the orchestra played the “William Tell” Overture, the “Lone Ranger” theme song, during a horse race.

Organizers said it was the first race staged with a live soundtrack.

Hopes that the music would encourage a speedier race were dashed — winning horse Action Impact covered that one mile, three furlong course (2.2km) in two minutes and 20.34 seconds, more than two seconds off the record pace.