Jockey trapped below horse in ‘horrific fall’ is rescued earlier than using winner
James Bowen was unseated from Saunton Surf and then found himself trapped under the horse at Ffos Las – but an hour later, he was in the winner’s enclosure
Jockey James Bowen demonstrated incredible resilience by winning a race just an hour after being rescued from a fall.
The Welsh rider was trapped under his mount, Saunton Surf, when the horse fell in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at Ffos Las on Saturday. Trainer Warren Greatrex’s charge crashed through the final hurdle while pursuing the winner Double Click, leaving Bowen no chance to stay mounted.
As he hit the ground, the mare rolled on top of him, pinning down the jockey, whose brother Sean is currently leading the 2024-25 title race. A medical team and vet rushed to the scene, with racing paused as they sedated Saunton Surf to safely extricate Bowen.
Incredibly, both emerged without serious injury, and Bowen went on to claim victory on Greatrex’s Keep Running in a two-mile steeplechase. Sky Sports Racing presenter Josh Apiafi recounted the incident, saying: “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.”
Post-race, Bowen chose not to discuss the earlier mishap following his win on the 100-30 favourite Keep Running, who triumphed despite veering right at the jumps. He expressed his excitement to the channel, commenting: “That was a thrill anyway,” and praised his mount, adding: “He is a very exuberant jumper and we were going on to fresh ground.”
The event was organized by the British Horseracing Authority as a replacement for cancelled jump races at Warwick, Kempton, and Wetherby due to adverse weather conditions.
Despite the bitter 4C weather, racing enthusiasts were treated to a top-notch display at the Grade Two DragonBet Towton Novices’ Chase, with Handstands clinching victory. Jockey Ben Jones delivered a standout performance, guiding the even-money favourite to a comfortable nine-length win over Lord Of Thunder.
Post-race, Jones praised Handstands: “He’s a very nice animal,” and hinted at a bright future, suggesting Sandown’s prestigious Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase could be next on the agenda.
He said: “That will put him spot on, he hasn’t had a hard race and I think there was plenty left despite the ground being really testing.”
As talk about Cheltenham picks up, Handstands saw his odds cut to 20-1 for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, though trainer Ben Pauling seems to lean towards Aintree.
Meanwhile, Pauling has another ace for Cheltenham in The Jukebox Man, sporting Harry Redknapp’s colours.
