Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Jockey headbutts horse

Stratford: Ace French footballer Zinedine Zidane had a reason for the famous headbutt, but Jockey Paul O'Neill seems to have none. O'Neill will be investigated by the sport's governing body after television replays showed him head-butting his horse, City Affair.

The Horseracing Regulatory Authority made the decision on Monday to hold an inquiry after reviewing TV footage from the incident at the Stratford races on Sunday. "We haven't got a date set, but we are going to go for some time next week , our inquiry day is usually on Thursday" said HRA spokesman Owen Byrne.

City Affair was being unruly in the parade ring, ultimately throwing O'Neill. The jockey got to his feet and grabbed the reins, pulling the horse to him, before lowering the butt of his helmet into it.

2 comments:

yellowdoggranny said...

my rodeo girlfriend used to hit her horse between the eyes with her fist when he would hold his breath so she couldnt cinch her saddle...she said the vet told her it just got his attention...but a head butt...i dont know...

dom said...

Shame the horse didn't kick back , or headbutt back ... short-arsed idiot jockey !