There was a dramatic start to the June 4 card at Epsom when “a very bad mistake” meant William Buick’s horse ran without him after a rival runner at the next counter hit into his head.
The racers chasing the championship are on board Green trail in a handicap contest that begins in the afternoon. He was hit in the head when Accessibility was raised in the booth next door, and Buick seemed to be still reeling from that blow when the initiator left the pitch.
Blue Trail was with the others when the gate opened, without the driver of his carriage, who was left in the stall.
Drama Derby Day! William Buick, on the leading Blue Trail, was stopped by the Approach and left in the stall before the first race at @EpsomRacecourse pic.twitter.com/Pwyljji6qy
– Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 4, 2022
The unridden horse, who was later declared a non-runner, also had an effect on the finish of the race as he seemed to interfere with the finish with the runner-up. Grenoblewho just didn’t catch the winner Bridge of Swilcan.
William Buick spoke to Racing TV presenter Lydia Hislop, who said: “He said he was hit in the head by the horse in the barn next door.
“He only needed 30 seconds to pull himself together. He said it to the starter and he said that other chariot players beside him had said it to the starter. He described it. was ‘very dangerous’ because he was half on, half on horse. And he said it was ‘a very bad mistake.’
Buick was evaluated by the doctors and allowed to make the rest of the day’s trips.
Relieved trainer Charlie Appleby said: “He’s okay, and thankfully he was wearing that hat. The horse’s head just grabbed him in the front.
“He said for a few seconds that he was breathing but he was fine, that’s the main thing.”
The managers asked about the incident and interviewed the beginners.
After hearing their evidence, they accepted that Accessibility threw its head to the left, hitting Buick’s head, resulting in him being temporarily incapacitated and distributing his weight to the side. The left side of the table runs the starting stall and is therefore not fully mounted when the start has been made.
This caused Blue Trail to leave the starting counter without a rider and he was therefore considered a non-runner and therefore withdrawn.
Tom Marquand felt the loose horse prevented Grenoble from winning and the jockey said: “It’s frustrating for us today because the loose horse has cost us.
“I watched the replay and it was unfortunate for Will, but luckily he’s okay and his horse is fine, that’s what matters.
“We have to be pleased with how we ran when he shot 25-1, but you can’t help but feel a little sick because we have to pay the price as a winner. Hopefully there will be those another day for him.”
