A horse race had to be declared invalid following a chaotic event at the beginning, leading to substantial penalties for five jockeys. The disrupted race took place at Windsor during the second event of the evening, a 5f handicap race for apprentice jockeys with a competing field of seven.
The disruption occurred when Master Zack, trained by Martin Dunne, wearing a blindfold for entry into the starting gate, reared up just as the gates were about to open. Jockey Ryan Kavanagh managed to remain in the stalls while his horse bolted out still wearing the blindfold, veering to the right and crashing through the plastic railing before being caught unharmed. Another horse, Beaumadier, also remained in the stalls, losing considerable ground once it eventually started, while the rest of the field completed the race with Cabeza De Llave crossing the finish line first.
Sky Sports Racing presenter Alex Hammond provided insight into the incident, mentioning the issues faced by the horses at the start, with Master Zack veering off course and through the rails. Despite the signaling attempts by the starter and assistants, some riders continued the race without acknowledging the false start indications.
Following the race, jockey Tommie Jakes, who finished first, expressed unawareness of any stop signal before heading into a steward’s inquiry. Despite the confusion, Jakes and four other jockeys, Jack Doughty, Jack Dace, Taryn Langley, and Alec Volkhansky, received ten-day suspensions from the stewards.
Chief steward Richard Westropp explained the sequence of events leading to the false start and subsequent penalties, highlighting the adherence to proper procedures despite the chaotic start. The stewards enforced the bans on all jockeys except two who faced exceptional circumstances during the race.
Looking ahead, the prestigious York’s Ebor Festival is set to commence on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, promising a thrilling conclusion to the racing season. The Mirror will provide comprehensive coverage of the festival, offering readers access to exclusive content, insights, and free bets from William Hill to enhance their racing experience.