Champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle was taken to hospital after being unseated from the Joseph O'Brien-trained Mosel in the opening race at Bellewstown on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old was riding the filly when she lost her footing at the furlong pole, throwing the Donegal rider to the sodden track. McMonagle remained conscious and was treated on the course by the racecourse medical team for several minutes, delaying the 4.55 race.
Transferred to Drogheda Hospital
He was subsequently taken by ambulance to Drogheda Hospital, with an IHRB update confirming: "Dylan Browne McMonagle is conscious and being transferred to hospital in Drogheda.
"There will be a delay of approximately 10 minutes to the start of Race 2 at @BellewstownRace as parts of the track are being sanded."
Further incidents on sodden surface
The race eventually got under way at 5.25pm — a full 30 minutes behind schedule — and further incidents followed, with two additional horses slipping on the sodden surface and throwing their riders.
The much-loved County Meath venue is marking its 300th anniversary this week, but the troubling events across the opening two races will undoubtedly have cast a shadow over the celebrations.
Recent injuries at Killarney
McMonagle's fall comes hot on the heels of several other jockeys sustaining injuries at Killarney last week. Gary Noonan was airlifted to hospital at the Kerry track on Friday with serious injuries and remains in hospital with multiple broken ribs, punctures to both lungs and a broken shoulder blade.
Amateur rider Joey Dunne was left hospitalised with a fractured jaw, while conditional jockey Paddy O'Brien suffered fractures to both his pelvis and a vertebra in his back.
