Jockey leaves fans gasping as simple error near finish line almost proves costly

21 July 2023 , 10:31

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Tom Buckley stands up thinking his job his done (Image: @AtTheRaces/Twitter)

A young jockey had the fright of his life when he nearly committed a huge cock-up in a race at Worcester on Thursday night.

Tom Buckley, a 22-year-old conditional rider, was aboard the 3-1 favourite Ranco in the penultimate race on the evening card, a handicap hurdle. Everything was going to plan as they hit the front just after jumping the last hurdle and were on their way to collect.

Until they reached the half furlong pole where Buckley suddenly stood up in the irons as if the race was over and his job done. He quickly realised his error and shook up Ranco who regained his momentum to hold on by three quarters of a length.

Martin Harris was commentating on the race and was incredulous as he watched Buckley's near-costly error. “I think the rider’s mistaken the winning post," he said. "Ranco though is going to hold on. Crikey!” The stewards at Worcester racecourse held an inquiry after the race had finished to establish why Buckley had opted to stop riding at the half furlong marker.

The subsequent report from the inquiry read: “Buckley’s explanation that he had his head down and as a result mistook the half furlong marker for the winning post, whereupon he looked up, realised his mistake and continued to ride to the line, was noted and the stewards warned Buckley as to his responsibility to ride out to the finish line."

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