A horse race had to be voided following a dramatic incident at the start that led to hefty bans for five jockeys. The event took place at Windsor during the second race of the evening, a 5f handicap for apprentice jockeys with a seven-horse field.
The trouble began at the starting stalls when Master Zack, trained by Martin Dunne, wearing a blindfold, reared up just before the gates opened. Jockey Ryan Kavanagh remained in the stalls as his mount bolted out with the blindfold still on, causing chaos. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
One other horse, Beaumadier, was also left behind in the stalls, resulting in a significant disadvantage when it eventually started. Despite the chaos, the race continued with Cabeza De Llave crossing the finish line first.
Sky Sports Racing presenter Alex Hammond described the incident, noting the confusion at the start with Master Zack and Beaumadier failing to jump. Replays showed officials signaling a false start, but some jockeys seemed unaware and completed the race.
Although jockey Tommie Jakes, who finished first, claimed he did not see any stop signals, he and four other jockeys were later suspended for ten days by the stewards. Chief steward Richard Westropp explained the sequence of events, emphasizing that proper procedures were followed.
The incident led to a controversial race outcome and subsequent disciplinary actions against the jockeys involved. The Ebor Festival at York, starting on August 20, 2025, promises excitement and your Mirror will provide comprehensive coverage of the event, including exclusive offers and insights. Don’t miss out on the festival coverage to make the most of the racing season’s grand finale.