A groom at a prestigious racehorse stables has won a pregnancy discrimination case after one of her bosses refused to get off her horse during a meeting to discuss her childcare.

Charlotte Holloway has been awarded more than £4,000 after an employment tribunal expressed disbelief over the way she was treated at the Epsom Derby-winning Durdans Stables.

Mrs Holloway was involved in a dispute with her bosses during her maternity leave that saw them deny her request to keep the same hours on her return to work.

When she visited the stables to discuss the issue, the owner’s partner – who was helping to run the business – did not dismount from her horse and the meeting was held in the stables with everyone forced to stand.

The tribunal, held virtually, heard that Ms Holloway felt she had no other choice but to resign.

She then sued her former employers for unfair dismissal and maternity discrimination and won £4,173.35 in compensation.