Sedgefield fined after jockey taken to A&E in horsebox

A jockey was taken to A&E in a horsebox after a fall at Sedgefield Racecourse in County Durham in March, prompting a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel to investigate.

The injured rider, whose identity was kept private, suffered a left clavicle and shoulder injury and was examined by a doctor at the course; he was cleared to ride again but reported continuing pain and was advised to go to A&E. By the time the recommendation was made, all ambulance crews had left the venue.

The jockey was transported to hospital in a horsebox with the medical staff following behind. The BHA disciplinary panel concluded the racecourse had failed to comply with five "general instructions" within its Rules of Racing. The panel said: "The 'general instructions' require proper transfer to hospital with accompaniment from qualified medical staff not, as here, being followed in a car."

The inquiry also recorded other operational shortcomings, including a telephone line not working and "tired worn rooms not conveying a clean clinical area". The racecourse acknowledged the "errors and shortcomings" identified by the panel. An inspection of the venue in April found "significant progress" had been made.

The BHA imposed a £6,500 fine on Sedgefield Racecourse following its disciplinary finding.