Two jockeys were taken to hospital on the same afternoon after heavy falls at different racecourses. Jamie Brace required attention from the medical team when High Treason unseated him at the eight fence of a three-mile handicap chase at Perth on Friday.
A number of racing fans watching the event shared their concerns on social media platform X for the rider, who was reported to be conscious before he was taken from the track for further assessment. High Treason’s part-owner Philippa Burrough said the results will keep conditional Brace, 27, out of action for some time.
“Thoughts with jockey Jamie Brace who has broken his back riding High Treason today @PerthRacecourse for @NigelTwistonDav @willy_twiston and us,” she posted. “Mend well Jamie and thanks to the @IJF_official who will be looking after him for the next few months. Such a tough sport.”
Later on Friday, medics rushed to Houlihan’s side after he fell heavily from Drumheller at the third flight of a hurdle for staying horses. The race was voided once the runners had crossed two more jumps as they could not go round him safely.
Houlihan’s principal employer Gary Moore said fortunately he was able to return home from hospital the same evening. “All he’s got is three stitches under his chin and it’s amazing he’s walked away like that,” he told the Racing Post.
The stewards’ report read: “The clerk of the course explained that the position of the stricken rider after the hurdle meant there was insufficient room for the runners to bypass safely and therefore, he took the decision to initiate the ‘stop race’ procedure. The stewards declared the race void and ordered a report to be forwarded to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority.”
The two jockeys join Nico de Boinville on the sidelines following a fall from a Nicky Henderson-trained runner at Fontwell on Easter Monday.
He hurt his neck and broke several ribs, which gave Mark Walsh a rare opportunity on star chaser Jonbon at Sandown’s season finale today.
The programme sees a final showdown between Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins for the trainers’ championship, with the early results in favour of the Irishman.
Mullins has bet365 Gold Cup favourite High Class Hero leading his ten-strong squad in the feature contest at 4.10pm.
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