Champion jockey Hugh Bowman has been slapped with a six-week suspension for careless riding after an incident at Rosehill Racecourse that saw a fellow jockey taking to hospital.
An investigation was launched by Racing NSW into the incident at Race 1 at Rosehill last Saturday.
Bowman, riding eventual race-winner Smart Image, appeared to move left off the rails, nudging Andrew Adkins who was riding Hot’N’Hazy.
Hot’N’Hazy was forced left, struck by a number of other horses before eventually falling to the ground and throwing Adkins off.
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Adkins was immediately taken to hospital while the two-year-old colt trained by Danny Williams had to be put down.
Many punters jumped onto social media to share their disbelief at the incident and called for Bowman to receive a huge suspension for the reckless incident.
Sickening fall in the first at Rosehill. Hope Jockey Andrew Adkins is ok. Hugh Bowman won’t want to watch that replay again. Not good. @SEN_track
— Campbell brown (@Browndogg_30x) July 25, 2020
We should not be seeing Hugh Bowman for many, many weeks after that. Hope Andrew Adkins and Hot ‘n’ Hazy are okay. It didn’t look good for horse or rider.
— Daniel Sankey (@Daniel_Sankey) July 25, 2020
Gee whiz Hugh, that was just flat out dangerous 🤦🏻♂️
— Tim Kennedy (@PuntKing23) July 25, 2020
Hope horse and rider are ok 🙏 #Rosehill
After being taken to hospital, it was confirmed that Adkins was in a stable condition but had suffered several broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken collarbone and a fractured tibia and fibula.
Andrew Adkins update: Dr. Duckworth reports Andrew has come out of surgery at Westmead Hospital and everything went well. He had a rod put in his tibia and a plate on his clavicle. He has also had a drain out in his chest due to a pneumothorax from his fractured ribs (1/2)
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 26, 2020
The inquiry into Bowman's actions was completed on Thursday with stewards handing down a six-week suspension for Bowman.
Stewards took into consideration Bowman's positive record when handing down the sentence.
Hugh Bowman suspended on careless riding charge for 6 weeks over Rosehill fall last Sat - can resume riding on Sep 11 - more to come @superracing
— Ray Thomas (@RayThomas_1) July 30, 2020
Bowman has responded to the suspension, issuing a statement and apologising to a number of the parties involved.
"Firstly, I would like to wish Andrew Adkins a full and speedy recovery," Bowman said.
"I have spoken to Andrew to convey how sorry I was for the accident, and he was in good spirits after his operation which was very pleasing and reassuring to hear.
"To Danny Williams and the connections of Hot'N'Hazy, I would like to share my condolences. Having been involved in horses all my life, I know how tragic the loss of a horse is for all concerned.
"I would like to thank the stewards for a fair hearing. Jockeys are required to make split second decisions under enormous pressure, and sometimes we make the wrong decision.
"As a jockey with over 20 years of professional riding experience, I have always prided myself on riding competitively but also within the rules.
"All jockeys endeavour to give their mounts the best opportunity to win, whilst also ensuring the safety of their fellow jockeys and horses.
"I will be making no further comments at this time, apart from again wishing Andrew a successful recovery and I look forward to seeing him back on the track soon."
Please see below my statement following today’s hearing. pic.twitter.com/8pwU4s2SbB
— Hugh Bowman (@HugeBowman) July 30, 2020
