After Purple Harry’s spectacular refusal earlier today, we’ve trawled the archives to find five other head-scratching moments
Horses are often referred to as ‘Free Spirits’ and we’ve certainly seen some times over the years where jockeys have been powerless to stop the unexpected from happening and leaving punters heartbroken.
Purple Harry did just that in the 14.20 at Wetherby on Tuesday afternoon. Settling into a three-miler, Adam Nicol would have wanted a nice settler at the first. However the ten-year-old had another ideas and swerved the fence completely.
Drama at the start of the 2.20 here at Wetherby as Purple Harry refuses to jump the first fence! Both horse and jockey were unscathed. pic.twitter.com/2kfKcSATr6
— Wetherby Racecourse (@WetherbyRaces) January 23, 2018
The worst part is that the horse then went round the remainder of the course with ease, finishing AHEAD of race winner Bassarabad!
Only 2 finishers @wetherbyraces as the well backed Bassarabad wins on his first start since a wind operation for @TVaughanRacing
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) January 23, 2018
Results https://t.co/7iJOPsvjqx pic.twitter.com/msR46PVutC
Nicol is far from the first jockey to be flung off at the worst moment, but none were dismounted with more style than Lewis Ferguson. On board Merrion Square three years ago, he led approaching the last before disaster struck as the horse jinked approaching the fence, sending the jockey careering into the fence, and leading to a perfectly performed somersault that would have got him called up to the GB Gymnastic squad! Fortunately both horse and jockey made a full recovery.
Somersaulting jockey Lewis Ferguson & Merrion Square will be reunited today at Kempton! See it all at 5.00 on RUK.https://t.co/89nFhofw8Q
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) April 20, 2015
Speaking of race endings, it’s hard to know which one you would have felt sicker watching if you were backing the party in question. This effort by Leg Lock Luke at Taunton was hard to swallow…
Fuming if you backed Leg Lock Luke at Taunton today... pic.twitter.com/zmdja3Yi2z
— Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) March 20, 2017
But this change in direction from What’s The Scoop makes Might Bite’s scare at Cheltenham last year look like a gentle nudge!
WATCH: “Starvin Marvin has been handed the most unlikely and dramatic of victories.” https://t.co/v9o37txcYr
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 11, 2016
In terms of closeness though, this unfortunate unseating by Gavin Sheehan in the final furlong at Ffos Las takes the cake. You’d have been forgiven for spending your ‘winnings’ at this point.
Tough break for Gavin Sheehan in the opener @FfosLasRC pic.twitter.com/IqOwS2B6hP
— Oddschecker Racing (@OddsRacing) March 1, 2017
Finally, it’ll take a barmy race to beat this FLAT race in Japan last week. If you’ve never watched this before, sit back, grab a drink and try to pick the winner. Good luck if you do…
This Japanese FLAT race was absolutely ridiculous. Can you guess the winner?pic.twitter.com/tsrHqJr1WT
— Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) January 17, 2018
