Jockey Callum Pritchard came off JP McManus-owned hurdler Limier d’Arthel in a two-mile maiden event on the card and was assisted by medics which led to a short delay to proceedings
Jockey Callum Pritchard was taken to hospital for X-rays after a ‘nasty incident’ at Huntingdon races. The conditional was riding the JP McManus-owned hurdler Limier d’Arthel when the pair came down at the first flight.
Racing keenly on his first outing for 648 days, the French recruit jumped high and landed steeply, giving himself little chance of staying upright.
As the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White trainee started to run loose, he galloped over his rider and his helmet was knocked off.
Medics gave assistance and the obstacle was bypassed on the final circuit, but no screens were put up and Pritchard could be seen lying on the track in the live coverage of the race.
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A report of the incident was forwarded to the British Horseracing Authority to be considered by their representatives.
The Jockey’s agent Sam Stronge said he was able to speak to his client a few hours after the fall. “Callum was taken to hospital for X-rays on his leg,” he said. “He got stood on by the horse. He hopes he will be OK and is in good spirits.”
The race was won by the 2-5 favourite Double Measure, as officials delayed the next one by nine minutes so Pritchard could be moved off the track for further assessment.
“It was a really nasty incident,” said ex-jockey Daryl Jacob, on punditry duty at Huntingdon. “These jockeys, they are tough as old boots. Whenever they can get up they will straight away and when he was down and they bypassed the third last, to me that is always worrying. I wish him a speedy recovery.”
The BHA stewards report read: “An enquiry was held to consider the circumstances as to why the screens were not deployed around a fallen jockey at the third last hurdle on the final circuit. The clerk of the course was interviewed and shown recordings of the incident. After hearing their evidence, a report was forwarded to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.”
The incident came just days after Pritchard’s mount Imperial Saint gave him his biggest win of the season by landing a gamble for punters in the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.
