Horrific moment helpless jockey is flung like rag doll in terrifying pre-race scare at Sedgefield
THIS is the awful moment a helpless jockey is flung like a rag doll in a terrifying pre-race scare at Sedgefield.
Poor Conor Rabbitt’s head was snapped back and his body yanked almost out of its saddle after getting tangled up in reins.
The conditional jockey was riding 50-1 chance Skinty Fia to the start of a 2m1f bumper at the County Durham track on Wednesday when disaster struck.
THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE
The only place to get Templegate’s tips first – and at the best prices – is by joining Sun Racing’s brilliant Members Enclosure.
Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing’s best winning team and get…
- Four free racing tickets, four times a year – worth £300
- Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
- Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
- Exclusive insights from Andrew Balding and Hayley Turner
- VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
- New customer offer with Coral
Become a member today for just £1*
*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.
18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk
Eventual winner Riviera Walk was in the care of a handler when, somehow, Rabbitt appeared to ride between the horse and the track worker.
While Skinty Fia’s head ducked underneath the reins, Rabbitt wasn’t so lucky and it wrapped around his neck.
Cameras caught the moment he was effectively clotheslined in awful fashion, his body going from upright to horizontal in a fraction of a second.
The jockey later joked he ‘wouldn’t be any good at the limbo’ but in all seriousness it was a miracle he wasn’t seriously hurt.
The speed at which his neck connected with the rein could have led to all kinds of awful injuries – at the very least a nasty case of whiplas.
Rabbitt and the horse were well enough to race but didn’t finish, being pulled up six furlongs from home.
In response to one punter praising his flexibility, Rabbitt wrote: “It’s never been pushed that far before. Awaiting great pain tomorrow morning.”
Viewers were relieved the jockey, who has 35 career wins and over £300,000 in prize money winnings, and the horse were both OK.
One said: “Nearly took the lad’s head off his shoulders.”
Another wrote online: “He needs to buy a lottery ticket this week, how lucky was he?!”
While a fellow punter posted: “Jeeze that could’ve been very nasty.”
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.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 chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.