Racing authorities have launched an investigation after a jockey was left lying injured on the track while horses continued to thunder past him during a meeting at Huntingdon on Thursday.
Callum Pritchard was thrown from his mount Limier D'Arthel at the opening hurdle in a two-mile maiden event and subsequently trampled, losing his helmet in the fall.
Medical staff attended to the stricken rider as the field charged by at approximately 30mph, passing just metres from where he lay.
The British Horseracing Authority is now examining why protective screens were not erected around Pritchard and the attending personnel, with one observer branding the situation "appalling".
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Pritchard was transported to the hospital for X-ray examination of his leg following the incident.
His agent Sam Stronge confirmed the jockey remained "in good spirits" despite the ordeal.
Former Grand National winner Daryl Jacob, now working as a Racing TV presenter, witnessed events unfold at the course.
He said: "It was a really nasty incident. These jockeys, they are tough as old boots.
Racing authorities have launched an investigation after a jockey was left lying injured on the track
|RACING TV
He added: "Whenever they can get up they will straight away and when he was down and they bypassed the third last, to me that is always worrying. I wish him a speedy recovery."
The 9-2 shot was trained by Philip Hobbs and Johnson White for owner JP McManus.
In a separate tragedy on Friday, former Royal Ascot competitor Cannonball suffered a fatal leg injury during the Group Two Australia Stakes at Pakenham in Victoria.
The six-year-old gelding, who had travelled to Britain in 2023 under the care of trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, was put down following the breakdown.
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Horses continued to thunder past him during a meeting at Huntingdon on Thursday.
|RACING TV
Cannonball had earned his Royal Ascot berth through a Group 3 victory and third-place finish in Sydney's Group 1 Galaxy.
His British campaign proved disappointing, however, finishing last in the King's Stand Stakes before an incident at the stalls cost him any chance in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Since returning to Australia, Cannonball had changed stables twice before showing renewed promise with trainer Patrick Kearney at a Listed event at Flemington in November.
Running as an outsider on Friday, the gelding broke well and was positioned outside leader Veight approaching the home turn before suffering the catastrophic injury at the three-furlong marker.
Callum Pritchard was thrown from his mount Limier D'Arthel at the opening hurdle in a two-mile maiden event
|PA
Jockey John Allen pulled him up immediately, causing the pursuing runner Marhaba to take evasive action.
Hedged claimed a new track record, although the result was overshadowed by the tragedy.
Fans expressed their devastation online.
One wrote: "Feel absolutely sick about Cannonball. Did not deserve that."
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