Welsh jockey rushed to hospital after being 'stood on by horse' in 'really nasty' fall

Welsh jockey Callum Pritchard was transported to hospital for X-rays following a "serious incident" at Huntingdon racecourse. The conditional rider was aboard JP McManus-owned hurdler Limier d'Arthel when both fell at the first obstacle.

Racing enthusiastically on his first appearance for 648 days, the French-bred horse leapt high before landing awkwardly, leaving himself with minimal opportunity to remain standing.

As the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White-trained runner began to bolt riderless, he trampled over his jockey, dislodging Pritchard's helmet in the process.

Medical personnel provided treatment and the hurdle was avoided during the concluding lap, though no screening was erected and Pritchard remained visible on the course during the live television broadcast. Details of the incident were submitted to the British Horseracing Authority for review by their officials.

Pritchard's representative Sam Stronge confirmed he had spoken with his client several hours following the tumble. "Callum was taken to hospital for X-rays on his leg," he explained. "He got stood on by the horse. He hopes he will be OK and is in good spirits."

The contest was claimed by 2-5 market leader Double Measure, whilst stewards postponed the subsequent race by nine minutes to allow Pritchard to be removed from the track for additional medical evaluation.

Winning trainer Dan Skelton is currently leading the British Trainers' Championship by over £1.5million and he enjoyed a treble on the day with Albie Littlewood and Ace Of Spades steered to success by brother Harry later on the card.

"It was a really nasty incident," said former jockey Daryl Jacob at Huntingdon on Pritchard's fall. "These jockeys, they are tough as old boots. Whenever they can get up they will straight away and when he was down and they bypassed the third last, to me that is always worrying. I wish him a speedy recovery."

The BHA stewards' report stated: "An enquiry was held to consider the circumstances as to why the screens were not deployed around a fallen jockey at the third last hurdle on the final circuit.

"The clerk of the course was interviewed and shown recordings of the incident. After hearing their evidence, a report was forwarded to the head office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration."

The incident occurred mere days after Pritchard secured his biggest victory of the season aboard Imperial Saint, landing a successful gamble for backers in the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.

Pritchard was born in Porth and wore the No. 9 jersey for Wattstown RFC before moving to England to play for Minehead Barbarians. Though he left rugby behind when he began riding out for master trainer Hobbs.

He came through the same Rhondda schools system as Wales internationals Kieron Assiratti and Cameron Winnett. Pritchard played both with and against Assiratti and Winnett at Wattstown.