THIS is the terrifying moment champion jockey Brian Hughes is barged over by a loose horse mid-race.
Fortunately Hughes, who was caught up in the carnage at Sedgefield, and the horse involved were both up and OK after the incident.
Hughes looked to be travelling strongly on 2-1 shot Malpas in the 1.00 at the Co Durham racecourse.
But disaster struck two hurdles from home when the Donald McCain-trained runner sent Hughes crashing to the turf.
Worse was to come, however, when 28-1 chance Miss Smartypants unseated jockey Conor Brassil at the same flight.
As Hughes was getting to his feet, Miss Smartypants came charging at him and knocked him to the turf with one swift blow.
Fortunately, Hughes, who is set to lose his top jockey crown to Harry Skelton, was back on his feet quickly.
And Brassil and Miss Smartypants were also both OK following the scare.
The incident was especially frustrating for Hughes as Skelton, who looks set to steal his crown, pulled up his mount at the hurdle before.
One concerned punter commenting on a clip of the flashpoint wrote: “How’s he OK after that? Incredible.”
Another Twitter user posted: “Glad he’s OK as that could have been nasty.”
While another post read: “Painful one for Brian Hughes as he exits two out, then gets knocked over by the loose horse!”
A fellow Twitter user commented: “Chaos at Sedgefield. Brian Hughes falls on Malpas 2 out and then gets knocked down by a riderless horse in behind! He’s fine thank God.
The £3,158 first-place prize was claimed by Alain Cawley on 13-2 shot Spantik, with 28-1 Fernhill Dane a distant second some 28 lengths behind.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
