16 January 2024 , 13:29
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A popular employee of the racing industry has suffered life-threatening injuries in a mystery accident.
Richard 'Sparky' Bevis, who has been based at Nigel Twiston-Davies' stable for almost two decades, is in intensive care at Southmead Hospital. The key member of the Gloucestershire-based business was hurt while working on his farm at the weekend.
Members of the National Hunt community have rallied round to support him via a fundraising campaign, which is approaching £30,000.
His son William wrote on its GoFundMe page : "Many racing fans may have now heard that my Dad, Richard (Sparky) Bevis was involved in a serious accident on his farm on Saturday, he was alone at the time and we have no real idea what happened.
"However as a result he has suffered multiple skull and facial fractures and he remains in intensive care in Bristol Southmead on a ventilator. For those of you that don’t know him, my Dad has been head lad for Nigel Twiston-Davies for 18 years.
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"He was closely associated with Gold Cup-winning Imperial Commander and more recently Haydock specialist Bristol De Mai. I have set up this fundraising drive so that the racing community can pull together whatever they can afford to try and help my Dad, Mum and I through this extremely challenging period.
"Please also keep us in your thoughts and prayers." Bristol De Mai's owners, Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, have contributed to the page's total, which continues to rise.
Donations are being given via a GoFundMe page to assist Bevis (pictured left) and his family (PA)The pair, a leading combination in National Hunt racing, enjoyed memorable days with the Grade One-winning horse, who was retired almost a year ago.
Munir tweeted: "Prayers and thoughts with Richard (Sparky) Bevis and his family. The man behind Bristol De Mai, he rode him every day! Any help and donations would be so appreciated."
Bevis prepared 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander and Bristol De Mai for his three Betfair Chase victories, while also working around the clock to inspire further success at his workplace.
The Naunton stable is one of the best in the UK, with Twiston-Davies currently sixth in the trainers' championship, after his 55 winners this season earned £727,068.