Horse racing steward avoids serious injury after being trampled on at racecourse

27 October 2023 , 00:00

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Horse racing steward avoids serious injury after being trampled on at racecourse

A staff member at Carlisle Racecourse survived a scary moment when he was knocked to the ground and trampled on at the start of a race at the Cumbria venue.

In footage shared on social media, the steward can be seen making his way across the track when a number of horses begin racing towards him. He is knocked to the ground, with the horses continuing along the path and trampling him.

A number of messages of concern were shared on social media, prompting the racecourse to issue an update. Despite those concerns, though, they confirmed he escaped serious injury and was in good spirits after the scare.

"Following the start of today’s 5.05pm, a member of our team was attended to by the medical team at the start and received further assesment in the racecourse medical room," Carlisle Racecourse's statement read. "There are no indications he has any lasting injuries and he is in good spirits."

In the comments underneath the post, plenty of fans shared their relief that it wasn't much worse. "Thanks for the update! That looked pretty nasty!!" one wrote.

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"That’s miraculous he wasn’t more badly hurt. Needs to buy himself a few lottery tickets!" wrote another.

What did you make of the incident? Have your say in the comments section

The official managed to escape serious injury (@T_J_Carroll)

Sky Sports Racing presenter Tim Carroll shared video footage, but only after making sure the individual in question wasn't harmed. In response, a number of viewers were curious as to how the events came to pass.

"Think there’s a couple of things that have contributed," Carroll said in response to one such comment. "No doubt they will look into it. Main thing is the bloke's ok."

There were 19 runners in the 5.05 race in question, with 5/1 favourite Zwicky winning from 18/1 shot Solway Molly. After the race, the stewards' report addressed the incident at the start line.

“An inquiry was held to consider the circumstances as to why a member of the ground staff had crossed the track at the start as the race was started resulting in his being knocked over by Euchan Falls," the report reads. “The clerk of the course, the member of ground staff, the starters and Gavin Sheehan, the rider of Euchan Falls, unplaced, were interviewed.

“Having heard their evidence and having reviewed video recording of the incident, the matter was forwarded to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.”

Tom Victor