US jockey Katie Davis escaped injury after her horse reared and tossed her into the crowd at Saratoga racecourse in New York State on Wednesday. Davis was heading onto the track on three-year-old filly Free Spin Kim for the third race when the horse suddenly reared and backed into a rail, sending Davis over the rail and into the watching crowd.
Incident at Saratoga
Free Spin Kim, who was unplaced in two previous starts, was following the outrider when she reared. Davis flew off the horse and disappeared from view, but was later seen back on her feet talking to connections of the filly, appearing none the worse for the incident. The horse was scratched from the maiden claiming race by a vet and declared injured.
Reviewing the incident, Fox Sports pundit and former jockey Richard Migliore said Free Spin Kim “reared up, went backwards into the rail. And as a rider at that point you’ve got to hit the eject button. You don’t want to ride that ship down to the ground, you’ve got to get away from them. She kind of got launched out to the crowd. She looks like she’s no worse for the wear.”
Reaction from Fans
Among comments from fans on social media, one commented, “I’m glad you weren’t seriously injured Katie. That was scary to watch and I’m sure it was even more so for you.” Another said: “Dang that was quite a toss, glad she’s okay.”
Colleen Phelan wrote on her X account: “Fun fact @jockeykdavis flew into me and my mom. She 100% is the reason that horse didn’t go through the fence. What a legend.”
Davis's Background
The 34-year-old Davis is from a family of jockeys. Her father, sister and brother are all past and currently successful riders. She has ridden 365 winners. She made her British debut in 2025 when she represented the Rest Of The World at the Shergar Cup at Ascot.
