A dramatic incident at Windsor racecourse resulted in five jockeys facing bans after a false start caused chaos at the gates.
On Monday evening, chaos erupted at Windsor Racecourse when a race was declared void due to a dramatic incident at the starting stalls. This unexpected turn of events led to significant penalties for five jockeys. What started as a routine 5-furlong handicap for apprentice jockeys quickly spiraled into turmoil just moments before the race kicked off.
Curious about how such a situation unfolded? Let’s dive in.
The Incident Unfolds
As the race was about to begin, a horse named Master Zack, trained by Martin Dunne, started acting up in the stalls. Jockey Ryan Kavanagh was still seated when his mount bolted forward, blindfold still in place.
This created a hazardous situation as Master Zack veered uncontrollably to the right, crashing through the plastic running rail before being caught by the crew. Fortunately, he was reported unharmed. Can you imagine the panic in that moment?
Meanwhile, another horse, Beaumadier, was left behind in the stalls, losing precious ground as he finally got underway.
The rest of the field continued the race, with Cabeza De Llave crossing the finish line first. However, the chaos had already set the stage for a much larger issue.
Reactions and Consequences
Sky Sports Racing presenter Alex Hammond shared a detailed account of the incident, capturing the confusion at the starting gates. “The starter was waving the flag, but our eye was taken by Master Zack veering through the plastic rails,” she noted, painting a vivid picture of the chaotic scene. Video replays confirmed that the starter had indeed flagged a false start, yet many jockeys continued racing. How could this happen?
Jockey Tommie Jakes, who crossed the line first, expressed his shock at being called into a stewards’ inquiry. “I wouldn’t have seen the flag. I don’t know why it would have been a false start anyway,” he stated. This sentiment was echoed by other riders, who also failed to heed the starter’s signals. It raises the question: What does it take to ensure all jockeys are on the same page?
Stewards’ Decisions and Justifications
Following the incident, the stewards handed out 10-day suspensions to Jakes and four other jockeys: Jack Doughty, Jack Dace, Taryn Langley, and Alec Volkhansky. Chief steward Richard Westropp explained the reasoning behind the penalties: “Stall two’s door flapped back into his path as the start was activated. The starter called a false start, and procedures were strictly followed.”
Westropp emphasized that the recall flag was raised, and the whistle was blown. Yet, most jockeys—aside from Kavanagh and Conor Whiteley—were penalized for not adhering to the recall signals. “It’s a 10-day mandatory ban for failing to obey the recall flag,” he confirmed. This incident at Windsor serves as a stark reminder of the importance of following race protocols and the potential consequences of failing to do so. Are we paying enough attention to the rules that keep the sport safe?
