Chaos at Cheltenham Races as jockey Daryl Jacob breaks knee, leg and elbow

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John Stevens

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Spectators watched in horror at Cheltenham yesterday after a horse crashed through a rail and into a television camera, sending the jockey flying onto the concrete floor in a day of chaos.

Rider Daryl Jacob was admitted to hospital with a broken leg, knee and elbow after being thrown to the ground as horse Port Melon appeared to be spooked at the start of the race.

Dramatic television footage showed the cameraman and spectators in the nearby packed enclosure run away from the oncoming horse to avoid injury.

Scroll down for Vine video

Daryl Jacob and Port Melon head straight towards the enclosure after the horse seemed startled at Cheltenham on a day of chaos

The horse crashes into a TV camera before the horrific fall, as spectators and the cameraman ran away

Panic: Port Melon caused carnage by crashing through the barrier before the Albert Bartlett

Jacob was admitted to hospital with a broken leg, knee and elbow after being thrown onto the concrete ground

The Gold Cup, the main race on the final day of the four-day festival, was delayed by 15 minutes after Port Melon went through the rail before the start of the earlier Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle.

Mr Jacob, who had won on Lac Fontana in the preceding County Hurdle, was stretchered off the course and taken to hospital for X-rays in Cheltenham.

Onlooker Charlie Harris, 37, said: ‘As the horses came onto the course at a canter, Port Melon veered off to the right and crashed through the white barrier towards the Best Mate enclosure – straight for the crowd.

‘There was a huge gasp as the jockey was thrown off, fell to the ground and was crushed underneath his horse.

‘He

didn’t get up and looked seriously injured. Within minutes, police and

paramedics rushed to his side. Everyone was just praying he’d make a

full recovery.

‘It was just horrendous – the guy is obviously seriously hurt. Five paramedics loaded him into ambulance.

‘The

horse only deviated 10 yards but if he hadn’t fallen – he either tried

to vault the barrier or just crashed into it – he would have ploughed

straight into the spectators of Best Mate enclosure. They were moments

from disaster – it was truly terrifying.’

Gary Carter, 41, who was near the front of the Best Mate enclosure, said: ‘Suddenly this horse came crashing towards us – it knocked over a TV camera and came straight for us.

Five paramedics, who were at the scene within minutes, loaded the injured jockey into an ambulance

Jacob, who had won on Lac Fontana in the preceding County Hurdle, was stretchered off the course and taken to hospital for X-rays in Cheltenham

The third race of the day was delayed by 15 minutes after the incident

‘It was pretty scary stuff. I thought it was going to trample us all – and everyone started running out the way. But fortunately the crash barrier brought it down just in the nick of time.’

Footage from the TV camera, which Port Melon crashed into, showed the horse charging towards it seconds before impact.

Port Melon’s trainer Paul Nicholls

later told Racing UK: ‘It’s not great news, I’m afraid. It’s been

confirmed at the hospital he’s broken his knee, his leg and his elbow.

‘He’s

going to be operated on tomorrow morning. It’s devastating for him and

is going to put him out for a while. I’ve seen the video of the incident

and it’s horrific.

Happier times: Jacob won the County handicap Hurdle on Lac Fontana (in the red) – the race before his fall

‘Obviously, he’s desperately disappointed, but I’m glad he rode that winner on Lac Fontana or else he’d have been suicidal.

‘He’s ridden a winner, he’s in good spirits, but it’s terrible news having an injury like that.’

One person posted a still image of the footage with the caption, ‘Port Melon only wanted a #chelfie,’ a reference to the trend to post selfies at the Festival.

The accident came before one of the

greatest shocks in Gold Cup history saw 20-1 Lord Windermere come from

last to snatch victory by a nose, in a race that involved two false

starts and a stewards’ enquiry.

On a day beset with drama, star jockey Ruby Walsh – the all-time leading rider at the Festival – suffered a fractured right arm after a heavy fall in the opening race forcing him to withdraw from the Gold Cup.

Zara Phillips returned to the Festival for her third day in attendance, with her eight-week-old daughter Mia left at home

Jeremy Clarkson was among the celebrities watching from the stands at Cheltenham today

Jimmy Carr and Lily Allen enjoyed a day at the races on Gold Cup day at the Cheltenham Festival today

And another jockey, Chris Timmons, was stopped from racing after he failed an alcohol breath test.

Zara Phillips returned to the Festival for her third day in attendance, with her eight-week-old daughter Mia left at home, as her mother, Princess Anne, presented the Gold Cup.

The Queen’s granddaughter was seen taking a chelfie with Gerald Onyango, a PR for bookmaker Betfair.

Jeremy Clarkson, Kirsty Gallacher, Jimmy Carr, Richard Bacon and Jeremy Kyle were among the celebrities watching from the stands.

David Williams of Ladbrokes, said: ‘Lord Windermere’s shock win was the biggest Gold Cup upset in many a long year. Bookmakers could scarcely have scripted it better.’

Port Melon’s trainer Paul Nicholls told Racing UK: ‘He’s ridden a winner, he’s in good spirits, but it’s terrible news having an injury like that.’ Above, Jacob won the County handicap Hurdle on Lac Fontana earlier

Going down: Ruby Walsh comes off Abbyssial during the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival

Jacob’s fellow jockey Ruby Walsh was also taken to hospital and faces a lengthy spell out of action with a broken arm after coming off Abbyssial in the first race of the day.

The

rider was diagnosed with a compound fracture of his right humerus, the

bone in the upper arm.

Walsh was leading the field over the

second hurdle when taking a crunching spill, bringing down stablemate

Adriana Des Mottes in the process.

Racegoers enjoy a picnic in the car park on the first day of Cheltenham

Spectators watch the parade ring earlier today, on the final day of the 2014 Cheltenham Festival

Walsh was able to walk gingerly to the ambulance, but could be seen holding his arm.

The rider was set to undergo surgery on the open fracture at Gloucester Hospital.

A racecourse spokesperson said: ‘He has a compound fracture of his right humerus. He has been taken to Gloucester for surgery.’

Punters celebrate a win on the third race of the day

Racegoers watch horses outside the weighing room at Cheltenham Festival

Comments (262)

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The comments below have been moderated in advance.

me,

merseyside, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

What about the poor horse

Andie,

London,

2 hours ago

Poor horse!

Sprintersacre91,

Penzance, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

Some of these comments are just ridiculous and made by people clearly with their blinkers on. These horses love what they do, if they don’t want to do something they won’t! Just look at Mad Moose.

lovehoney,

manchester, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

And yet another child dies, somewhere in the world, such are our priorities.

New Mexico Roni,

Las Cruces United States,

2 hours ago

Couldn’t help but wonder if he was the jockey making comments about a week or so ago. Replacing horses not very nice I remember

zoe,

cheadlehulme, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

it’s because that little guy said the horses were expendable. They heard and are fighting back

Janhobin,

Preston, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

Poor animals…

RachelLunaMoon,

London, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

I hate all cruelty to animals which is why I’m vegan. However many of you objecting to this will be going home to a meal of meat and dairy. Talk about hypocrisy. All animals deserve to not be slaves for food OR sport! Let the red arrows roll in because people like to compartmentalise animals into animals worthy of care and animals who are apparently ok to be kept against their will as slaves because you like the taste of them or their products. Please please think about how all animals even the ones that aren’t “cute” like chickens all want to be free. Join team VEGAN you won’t regret it!

ripley21,

london,

2 hours ago

What about the horse!!! the jockey choose to be on the horse!

JontyChaplin,

Peterborough,

2 hours ago

As a Health and Safety Professional working for a local authority it is my fervent view that horse racing is too dangerous as a spectator sport. A rigorous risk assessment would show that the rails are not fit for purpose in protecting the general public. There should be a prosecution for todays failings. It should be made a TV sport only for the health and safety of the public..

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Chaos at Cheltenham Races as jockey Daryl Jacob breaks knee, leg and elbow