A dramatic incident unfolded during the Garrowby Stakes at York when jockeys Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan suffered serious falls that halted racing for nearly thirty minutes. Crowley, who was crowned British champion flat jockey in 2016, was riding the favourite Almeraq, trained by William Haggas, when the accident occurred.
With just over a furlong left to run, his horse clipped heels with another runner, stumbled badly, and sent Crowley crashing to the ground. The horse rolled over him, while Tiger Bay, ridden by Whelan and following close behind, had no room to avoid the chaos and was also brought down, leaving both riders injured on the turf.
Onlookers watched with concern as medical staff attended to the stricken jockeys for an extended period before they were transported to Leeds General Infirmary. Thankfully, both were conscious and able to speak as they were moved, though early reports indicated lower limb injuries, Crowley to his lower leg and Whelan to his ankle. While the riders suffered significant blows, both Almeraq and Tiger Bay appeared to escape the incident without lasting damage.
Moments like this also move the markets: injury updates and potential non-runners can shift race-day pricing in minutes, and many of the best betting sites for horse racing react quickly. For punters, that means sharp prices across racing and wider sports, quick withdrawals with flexible payment options, and promos ranging from welcome offers to free bets and regular odds boosts when they choose to get involved.
The race itself went ahead after the lengthy delay and was won by Elmonjed, another horse from Haggas’ yard. Ridden by Cieren Fallon, Elmonjed avoided the trouble behind and produced a strong run to secure victory at odds of 5-1. The win somewhat salvaged the day for the stable, which had seen its leading contender brought down in distressing circumstances moments earlier.
William Derby, clerk of the course and York’s chief executive, confirmed that the injured jockeys were conscious and communicating before being transferred to hospital. He noted that both riders would require further medical checks to assess the full extent of their injuries, though initial assessments suggested damage was confined to their legs.
Elsewhere on the same afternoon, more drama unfolded at Fontwell where jockey David Noonan was injured before a race even began. He was kicked by a horse at the start, leaving him with a suspected broken leg. He too required hospitalisation, adding to what turned out to be a difficult day for racing.
That Fontwell contest also faced unusual delays. Starting officials were late in reaching the stalls after being tied up with a stewards’ inquiry into the preceding race. That investigation led to sanctions, as nine jockeys were handed one-day bans for their roles in a false start, further highlighting the challenges of the day’s proceedings.
For Crowley, a rider with a decorated career including his champion jockey title in 2016, this marks another setback in a sport where falls are an ever-present risk. Whelan, who has established himself as a dependable and resilient figure in the weighing room, also faces a period on the sidelines while his ankle injury is evaluated. Their absence will no doubt be felt in the weeks to come, particularly during a busy period of the flat racing season.
The events at York and Fontwell served as stark reminders of the dangers faced by jockeys on a daily basis. While horses are often the focus of attention in racing, the bravery of those who ride them was again brought into sharp relief. With both Crowley and Whelan now under medical supervision, the racing world will await updates on their recovery while reflecting on a day that underscored the hazards of the sport as much as its unpredictability.
