Trainer Richard Guest, with one of his horses at this stables in Brancepeth

TRAINER and former Grand National-winning jockey Richard Guest has vowed to clear his name after it emerged that he is being prosecuted in connection with the death of one of his racehorses.

The RSPCA this week confirmed that it is prosecuting Mr Guest and two members of staff at his Brancepeth yard, near Durham City, for allegedly failing to provide a horse with proper veterinary attention and treatment.

Speaking at his yard on Monday, a tearful Mr Guest said: "I would rather cut my own arm off than let a horse suffer. Horses are my life - everyone knows how close I am to my horses."

The case, which is due to be heard before Durham Magistrates' Court on July 28, relates to the death last year of five-year-old mare What's A Filly.

Mr Guest, who rode Red Marauder to Grand National glory in 2001, bought the horse for £2,700 as a three-year-old filly. She went on to be a 100-1 winner of a maiden hurdle at Kelso.

However, last July, she fell in a race at Uttoxeter, leaving her with serious injuries to a hind leg and a subsequent wound infection.

The animal was bandaged, treated and nursed back to health at the Brancepeth yard, during which time she was seen by a vet on three occasions. Vets warned the infection could flare up again, but she appeared to be making good progress.

Last November, the horse was sent to stud near York, but was put down 48 hours later after the infection burst into the tendons of the leg.

RSPCA inspectors began an investigation into the case and last week informed 40-year-old Mr Guest that they were bringing a court prosecution.

A spokesman for the animal welfare organisation said: "The RSPCA is prosecuting racehorse trainer Richard Guest and two members of his staff - head girl Louise Tidman and head lad Richard Dalton - for failing to provide a horse with proper veterinary attention and treatment."

Since his retirement as a jockey, Mr Guest has emerged as one of the country's leading trainers over the jumps and sent out 56 winners last season.

At present, the yard, which employs 25 staff, is home to more than 60 horses, including Red Marauder.

Mr Guest said he plans to vehemently contest the case. He said: "She travelled down to York on the Saturday and when she left here, she walked out of the yard. There seemed to be nothing wrong with her, she didn't seem in any discomfort.

"The Jockey Club came up straight away and inspected every one of the horses on the place at the time and were more than pleased with the way they were being looked after."

Mr Guest insisted that his yard, which regularly holds open days for the public, had nothing to hide, but that he was deeply upset about the effect the allegation would have on the reputation of his yard and his family.