Racecourse fined after jockey taken to A&E in horsebox

An inspection in April revealed ‘significant progress’ at the course

A racecourse has been fined £6,500 after a jockey was taken to hospital in a horsebox instead of an ambulance.

The incident took place in March at Sedgefield Racecourse in County Durham.

A disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) found that the racecourse had failed to comply with five “general instructions” within its Rules of Racing.

The injured jockey’s identity was kept private but it was reported that he suffered a left clavicle and shoulder injury after a fall, and was examined by a doctor at the course.

He was cleared to race again but said he was still in pain, which resulted in a doctor advising him to go to A&E.

By then all the ambulance crews had left the venue, and he was taken in a horsebox with the medical staff following behind.

“The ‘general instructions’ require proper transfer to hospital with accompaniment from qualified medical staff not, as here, being followed in a car,” the BHA panel said.

It also added that the jockey was in too much pain to get into the following car.

The other failings at the venue included a telephone line not working and “tired worn rooms not conveying a clean clinical area”.

The racecourse has acknowledged the “errors and shortcomings” and an inspection took place in April which revealed “significant progress”.

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