3 hours ago
4 
Jockeys Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan have been taken to hospital following a ‘terrible accident’ at York races.
There were deeply worrying scenes as the red-hot favourite Almeraq, ridden by Crowley, appeared to clip heels of a rival around two furlongs from the finish in Sunday’s Garrowby Stakes.
The onlooking North Yorkshire crowd was stunned into an eery silence as Crowley plummeted to the turf following the collision, while also causing Tiger Bay and – rider Whelan – to fall.
Fortunately, both Almeraq and Tiger Bay seemed to walk away unscathed. However, Crowley and Whelan were both treated by medical staff for suspected leg injuries as screens were quickly erected around the pair.
A subsequent update confirmed that Crowley and Whelan were conscious and talking, but both riders have been transported to a Leeds hospital for ‘further assessment’.
The accident meant a delay in the remaining races of the day.
‘Both jockeys, Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan, are conscious and talking to the medical teams,’ a statement from York Racecourse read.
‘They are being transferred to hospital for further assessment and treatment, as required.
‘Racing has protocols in place to contact the next of kin – Both horses, Almeraq and Tiger Bay, continued to run after the incident. They are being assessed by the expert veterinary teams.
‘There is currently a delay to racing.’
The statement asked fans and commentators to avoid speculating on the incident while Crowley and Whelan were still in hospital.
‘We would ask people not to speculate further on this incident,’ it said.
‘The thoughts of all at York Racecourse are with the riders and their families.’
More to follow.
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