Jockey James Bowen gets trapped underneath horse and then goes on to ride winner
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James Bowen showed just how tough jockeys can be by riding a winner just an hour after being rescued from the site of a fall. The Welshman was caught underneath his horse Saunton Surf when she came down in division two of the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Ffos Las.
Warren Greatrex's trainee went straight through its final flight while chasing winner Double Click, giving Bowen no chance of staying in the saddle. Momentum took over and as he landed, the mare rolled and trapped the top jockey. whose brother Sean leads the 2024-5 title race.
A doctor and vet were quickly on the scene, with racing delayed while Saunton Surf was sedated and they worked to free Bowen. Remarkably the pair were unscathed and the sportsman went on to ride Greatrex's horse Keep Running to victory in a two-mile steeplechase.
Explaining what happened, Sky Sports Racing presenter Josh Apiafi said: "It was a pretty horrific fall. "James Bowen ended up underneath the horse, which was winded and lying on top of him. They had to slightly sedate her to make sure she wasn't kicking out while they removed him.".
Bowen did not comment on the incident after his performance on 100-30 favourite Keep Running, who scored despite going to his right at obstacles. "That was a thrill anyway," he told the channel. "He is a very exuberant jumper and we were going on to fresh ground.".
