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YOU can have a punt on almost anything at the races these days - but the likelihood of anyone backing a SHEEP to invade the track is very low.

But that is exactly what happened at Sedgefield Racecourse on Thursday.

The moment a sheep invaded Sedgefield Racecourse
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The moment a sheep invaded Sedgefield RacecourseCredit: Twitter @AtTheRaces
Despite sheepherders' best efforts, the animal was going nowhere
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Despite sheepherders' best efforts, the animal was going nowhereCredit: Twitter @AtTheRaces
The sheep invasion caused a five-minute delay to proceedings
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The sheep invasion caused a five-minute delay to proceedingsCredit: Twitter @AtTheRaces

The races were interrupted on Thursday after a daring sheep invaded the track and evaded a number of desperate attempts to capture it.

Sheepherders did try to ferry it towards the pen where it had come from, but after failing to find a way through the sheep turned back towards the track and continued its disruptive behaviour.

Fans online saw the funny side though.

"I don't baalieve it," said one Twitter user.

A second added: "Ewe must be joking!"

Others opted to highlight the sheep's racing potential.

One user wrote: "It's a shame it broke out the stalls, else it would have had a chance."

Another said: "They want to race :) why not allowing?"

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The incident was eventually dealt with after five minutes when herders managed to guide the animal back through a gate to safety.

The delay did nothing to stop jockey Brian Hughes from winning once again however, as he completed a 40-1 five-timer.

Nature must have it in for horse racing this week, as the sheep invasion came after a swarm of bees caused havoc at Worcester.

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