BREAKING: KNIGHTMAN Jim Crowley Falls “Unwell” During Surgery and Trevor Whelan Faces Surgery After Horrific York Fall
On a fateful Sunday at York Racecourse, the horse racing community was rocked by a devastating incident during the Sky Bet Starman Garrowby Stakes, a high-profile six-furlong sprint that turned catastrophic for two prominent jockeys, Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan. The race, meant to showcase speed and skill, instead became a scene of chaos as both riders suffered severe injuries in a high-speed fall, leaving spectators and fellow competitors in shock. The aftermath has seen Crowley, a former champion jockey, fall critically unwell during surgery, while Whelan faces a challenging recovery after breaking his leg in three places.
The incident occurred just over a furlong from the finish line when Crowley, riding the William Haggas-trained favorite Almeraq, found himself short of room in a tightly packed field of nine horses. Almeraq clipped heels with another runner, causing the horse to stumble and fall, rolling over Crowley in a terrifying moment broadcast live on ITV. The chain reaction was immediate and brutal: Henry Candy’s Tiger Bay, ridden by Whelan, had nowhere to go and was brought down, sending Whelan crashing to the turf. Miraculously, both horses escaped with only minor bruises, but the jockeys were not so fortunate.
Medical teams rushed to the scene, erecting screens to treat the fallen riders. Both Crowley and Whelan were conscious and talking, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. They were quickly transferred to Leeds General Infirmary for urgent care. Initial assessments suggested lower limb injuries, with Whelan’s ankle and Crowley’s lower leg being the primary concerns. However, the severity of their conditions became clearer in the hours that followed.
By Monday morning, Whelan confirmed the extent of his injuries via a post on X, stating, “Thanks for all the get well messages much appreciated I’ve broken my leg in 3 places and due for an operation on it as well.” His injuries, while severe, are expected to heal with surgery and rehabilitation, though the road to recovery will be long and arduous for the 36-year-old jockey.
Crowley’s situation, however, took a darker turn. The 47-year-old, riding for Shadwell Racing, underwent surgery on Monday for a broken leg and a suspected broken pelvis. Reports from Angus Gold, Shadwell’s racing manager, painted a grim picture: “Jim is not in a very good way. He’s having an operation as we speak, we think he’s broken his leg and pelvis, but we haven’t heard more than that.” Tragically, during the procedure, Crowley fell “unwell,” a development that has raised serious concerns within the racing community. Details remain scarce, but the term “unwell” suggests complications that could further complicate his recovery.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of support from fans, fellow jockeys, and racing organizations. York Racecourse issued a statement urging the public to refrain from speculation, emphasizing that both riders were receiving the best possible care. The racing world, no stranger to the inherent dangers of the sport, has been reminded of its unforgiving nature. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) stewards have launched an investigation into the fall, focusing on whether the actions of jockey Callum Rodriguez, who rode Christof Distinction to second place, contributed to the incident. Rodriguez’s accidental strike of another horse with his whip has also come under scrutiny, though it was deemed unintentional.
The race itself was won by Elmonjed, a stablemate of Almeraq, ridden by Cieren Fallon, who managed to avoid the chaos. However, the victory was overshadowed by the gravity of the incident, which led to a nearly half-hour delay in the day’s racing schedule. Spectators described the scene as “absolutely horrific,” a sentiment echoed across social media and news outlets.
As Crowley and Whelan face uncertain recoveries, the racing community rallies around them. Posts on X from outlets like AtTheRaces have expressed solidarity, wishing both jockeys strength and healing. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks jockeys take every time they mount a horse, their courage matched only by the fragility of their profession. For now, the focus remains on Crowley’s condition and Whelan’s upcoming surgery, with hopes that both will return to the saddle in time.
