Blindfolds still on Horses When The Stalls Open

[yeats]

Should this be allowed? I think not, a major disaster was narrowly avoided at Musselburgh on Sunday when the jockey of Koo and the Gang tried to remove the blindfold after the stalls open and failed to do so as the horse swerved and dumped the jockey on the ground.
The horse then ran loose through the rails with the blindfold still on, into a woman and her dog.
All 3 were injured but it could have been a lot worse.

In this day and age when safety is paramount surely all blindfolds should be removed before the starter opens the stalls.
I’m surprised health & safety don’t get involved in incidents like this and would hope to hear something from the BHA soon regarding a change in starting procedures.

[Author]

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