County Durham jumps track Sedgefield received a £6,500 fine after an investigation by the British Horseracing Authority revealed that a hurt jockey had to travel to accident and emergency inside a horsebox because no ambulances were left at the venue.
Investigators discovered that the course, which hosts the Durham National, breached five general instructions outlined in racing regulations.
The most prominent incident occurred in March this year when a rider required hospital treatment after all ambulances departed from the grounds.
James O'Mahony, acting as deputy judicial panel chair during the fast-tracked proceedings, stated: “As has been observed, there are not many occupations in life where a participant is followed at his/her heels by an ambulance, although in this case there was no ambulance to transfer to A&E.”
He added: “Jockeys are entitled to be sure that in a potentially dangerous sport that they have ready access to prompt medical care.”
Detailing the event on March 19, O'Mahony explained that Jockey A fell during the fifth race and underwent an examination by the course doctor.
The rider reported pain in his left collarbone and shoulder area.
Although he initially passed a fitness assessment to keep riding, he mentioned persistent and worsening pain following the subsequent race.
Medical staff administered a painkiller to the athlete.
One of the attending physicians then determined that the rider needed a transfer to accident and emergency.
At that point, every ambulance crew had already departed the location.
Because the competitor experienced too much pain to enter a standard car, staff transported him to the hospital using a horsebox.
O'Mahony noted: “The General Instructions require proper transfer to hospital with accompaniment from qualified medical staff not, as here, being followed in a car.”
Additional rule violations included the suture trolley qualifying as a heritage piece of furniture, alongside a broken direct line telephone at the facility.
Authorities levied the £6,500 financial penalty, while a follow-up inspection on April 10 showed substantial improvement.
