Hugh Bowman suspended after causing serious injuries to fellow rider

Jockey Hugh Bowman celebrates on the back of champion race horse Winx after her final race to victory in the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the Championships Race Day in Sydney on April 13, 2019. PHOTO | WENDELL TEODORO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Hot 'N' Hazy had multiple problems and was euthanised immediately.

Hugh Bowman, remembered mostly for his magnificence with Winx in all her elite 25 successes, has been suspended for six weeks following a hiatus at Rosehill.

Andrew Adkins was riding Hot 'N' Hazy, minding his own business, when Hugh became reckless on Smart Image, apparently contributing to a horror fall, in which Andrew was diagnosed with a collapsed lung, seven broken ribs, a broken collar-bone, and, two fractured leg bones.

He is in terrific pain at Westmead Hospital after surgery. Sadly, Hot 'N' Hazy had multiple problems and was euthanised immediately.

Hugh is understandably shaken, extremely apologetic, but claimed there were circumstances that occurred beyond his control, even blaming a shift from Mr Colorful for the fracas.

Hugh tried to worm himself away from blame by pointing to various camera angles in a lengthy discussion with Stewards. He said Hot 'N' Hazy was definitely tiring, while Smart Image had plenty extra to win the race.

"I have spoken to Andrew, conveying how sorry I was for the accident. He was in good spirits which was reassuring to see," Hugh said. To Danny Williams, I would like to share my condolences. Having been involved with horses all my life, I know how tragic the loss of a horse is for all concerned.

The stewards gave me a very fair hearing. Jockeys are required to make split-second decisions under enormous pressure and sometimes we get it wrong."

Another horse involved in the pile-up, Sunborn, has been ruled out of competition for up to six months, having suffered a breakage.

***

Donnacha is really churning out the O'Brien DNA skills, having blasted Goodwood's Qatar Nassau Stakes on Thursday, not as a rider, but 22-year-old trainer. His greatest moment was when Fancy Blue nabbed the Prix de Diane, but going clear with Ryan Moore in the Nassau, he was like a jittery cricket. Donnacha's actual riding tenure ended early, but not after gaining four Classics and plenty major league features.

Fancy Blue did receive a little heat from One Voice, but she stuck her neck out at a vital juncture. Nazim ran to third, while Deidre did not click at all. Magic Wand never ignited. Fancy Blue is being primed for the Prix de l'Arc where she potentially meets Enable, and, Love.