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13.10 at Hereford; a riderless Gaelic Thunder took a horrible fall ~3rd last. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a riderless horse fall before. Hope he is OK
I’ve seen it happen very occasionally, with one notable instance being classy chaser The Outback Way. He fell while running loose in the Topham (named the John Hughes at that time) in 2001. That was with tragic consequences very sadly.
Fingers very much crossed for Gaelic Thunder; I can’t see any mention of him on Twitter at present.
I’m pretty sure that in his autobiography Dick Francis said many, if not most, falls are due to jockey error and if a riderless horse falls no sane jockey will agree to ride it ever again.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"SSR said all horses and jockeys were OK after the race, which I assume included Gaelic Thunder.
Synchronised fell with AP in the GN , unhurt he ran on and fell again fatually , It does happen
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Such a waste HDLG I remember Synchronised got loose before the start and I was willing them not to catch him so that he would be withdrawn. but they did and McCoy got back on board.
He was never a Grand National horse and shouldn’t have run he had served the team at Jackdaw’s Castle so well. Would have thought Jonjo O’Neil of all people would have been cautious to run him remembering Alverton’s demise in 1979..although I think AP was a big influence in the running of Synchronised looking to fan his overlarge ego with a 2nd success. He should never have remounted Synchronised once he had got lose. I believe under todays rules the horse would have been withdrawn.
Not riderless but have to mention that we also lost According To Pete in that race, tragically brought down at Bechers.
The talented MvKelvey was another riderless horse who had a tragic end in the Grand National in 2008 and in 2007 Graphic Approach fell fatally at Bechers without a jockey on board in the race won by Silver Birch. They fought so hard to save him.
Glad to hear that Gaelic Thunder has hopefully come through ok.
Jac
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Pleased as I was that Nipper won for Mr Hales ( and is, thankfully, unlike most of his peers, going strong and enjoying life) I’ve never watched a replay of that race and never will.
Triptych mentioned mccoy in relation to Synchronised; would anyone know whether or not mccoy was cruel to horses, particularly if they had fallen?
Denman was cruel to McCoy in the Aon chase Feb 2010
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Wouldn’t say cruel but he was a hard jockey , doesn’t work with every horse but watch his Wichita lineman ride at chelt , no one else would have won that day , he carried that horse all the way around
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
“Denman was cruel to McCoy in the Aon chase Feb 2010”
Probably wondering where his mate Sam was.
“would anyone know whether or not mccoy was cruel to horses, particularly if they had fallen?”
I wouldn’t of thought he would go round the stables and have a dig in the ribs. Disappointed and fuming yes. Always remember the image of him and Ruby coming down in the Arkle on Don’t Push It and Twist Magic respectively and both cursing their luck somewhat.
When Valiramix was fatally injured in the Champion Hurdle I seem to remember McCoys first reaction was one of anger and frustration not concern for the horse who was obviously injured. I’ve always struggled with that even though it happened in the heat of the moment. Especially as, when Nick Dundee came down in a chase at the Festival, Norman Williamson’s first thought was for the horse, and the fact that he caught him prevented him from further injury. I’m probably being unfair as I don’t have the mentality of a top sportsperson, but I was new to racing and it really upset me.
I’m not condoning or condemning McCoy in the heat and instant of the moment. It was a long time ago and he’d have reflected on it. But he was a focused sportsman and his mental makeup was the difference between him having hundreds of winners and thousands of them.
His sheer will to win often got him home on beaten or ordinary horse’s and in that brutal moment he’d have been disappointed.
You are right to struggle with that as your first thought is to the horse.Just seen a riderless horse fall at the second last fence at Hereford and he brought down a horse that was still in the race. I cannot recall ever seeing that happen before. Thankfully it looks like both horses and the jockey are all OK.
Happened again at Hereford in the 2.03 today. This time the loose horse brought down another runner at the 2nd last. The inside part of the Hereford fences is apparently very high and stiff, probably because no one likes to jump them so near to the rail.
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