Three moments which prove that jockeys are big men

General / Dan Fitch / 02 March 2009 / Leave a Comment

Dan Fitch uncovers three classic Youtube vids that show just how tough jockeys can be.

If you were asked to name the toughest sportsmen in the world, then the names of various boxers and rugby players would probably come to mind.

It's less likely that you'd think of a jockey, but though they may be short in stature, jockeys are big when it comes to courage.

Here are three moments that prove that jockeys are big men (No horses are injured in any of these clips, though we can't say the same for the riders).

Life can be a drag

Australian jockey Simon Mills was lucky to escape with his life after he fell from his horse Sir Sagamore, only for his foot to get stuck in a stirrup.

With Mills being dragged along, Sir Sagamore leapt over two steeples. Mills is flung around like a rag doll, until thankfully his foot came free and his ordeal came to an end.

Amazingly Mills escaped with just a broken arm and a few lost teeth. He credited his survival with the giant leap made by Sir Sagamore, which saw Mills fly clear over the final fence.

Horse attempts Fosbury Flop

John Kington was almost crushed by the horse Towns Ender, in an unbelievable accident. As the jockey mounts the eight-year old Towns Ender, the horse performs an incredible flip.

Kington was thrown to the floor, but thankfully Towns Ender just missed him. The horse had injured jockey Tom Scudamore just a week before and was retired from action immediately after the incident involving Kington.

Jockey hangs on (literally) for a place

American jockey Nate Hubbard had victory in his sights, as his horse Sweetwater Oak ran in a race at Golden Gate Fields.

Then Sweetwater Oak got nudged by another filly and slipped on the wet ground. Hubbard was dismounted, but before he fell to the floor, his instincts managed to kick in...

Hubbard grabbed hold of Sweetwater Oak's neck and clung on for dear life. With his horse positioned in second place, the jockey knew that he ran the risk of being trampled by the oncoming horses, should he fall to the floor.

Amazingly, Hubbard managed to hold on for long enough for Sweetwater Oak to finish second in the race.