THIS is the ‘crazy dangerous’ moment a jockey threw his own safety aside to comfort a superstar horse after it collapsed mid-race.
Rider Jason Collett has earned worldwide praise for his quick thinking after Think About It fell to the ground with a ‘bleeding attack’ last weekend.
Connections feared the worst for the six-year-old gelding – who has won almost £6.5million in prize money – after he flipped spectacularly during the running of the Group 3 Sydney Stakes at Randwick, Australia.
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But after being unseated Collett rushed over to the horse’s side and appeared to gently soothe his head before the on-course vets could arrive.
Incredibly his touch must have worked as Think About It made a miraculous recovery there and then.
He was was able to get to his feet and walk back to the stables amid cheers from the crowd – who initially feared the worst after he collapsed in a heap rounding the home bend.
The horse’s trainer Joseph Pride said: “I have seen horses come down like that before, and they don’t get back up, unfortunately.
“Once they put that screen up, they’re not coming out.
“I saw his head pop up above the screen. It was amazing. I just thought, ‘Ah, what a relief’.
“I don’t believe in any higher powers but honestly, something happened there.
“I don’t know what happened. There is a scientific explanation there but it is beyond me. He shouldn’t have got up.”
Once examined by vets the decision was made to retire Think About It immediately.
A Racing New South Wales post confirmed what had gone wrong. It read: “Think About It, which collapsed in Race 6 due to a bleeding attack, has recovered and is under veterinary care.
“Jason Collett was uninjured in the incident.”
Collett was labelled ‘amazing’ for his heroic act.
One punter who posted the clip wrote: “Graphic footage and love to hear Think About It will be living life like a king from here on out in retirement.
“But huge respect for Jason Collett in a crazy dangerous situation, trying to comfort the horse without any hesitation #Amazing.”
Another wrote: “Jason Collett – you are a quality human, mate. Respect.”
While even those completely unfamiliar with him were left in awe.
One person said: “Oh my goodness. Never heard of Jason Collett before but what a legend and the horse survived? Wow.”
The jockey himself said: “I’m OK and amazingly the horse has walked back to the stalls.
“They don’t do that. I thought he’d broken down but he’s bled out.”
Collett revealed his first instinct was not to ensure his own wellbeing but to check on the horse.
Speaking the morning after the incident, he said: “I am so happy to see him this morning.
“I can’t even believe he doesn’t even seem to be sore from the tumble. He rolled over and at speed, they’re going about 40mph.
“I’m OK and amazingly the horse has walked back to the stalls.”
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