Jockey Oliver Carmichael was stretchered off the track on Thursday after his horse came down during a race at Bath. The 20-year-old apprentice, attached to the Eve Johnson Houghton stable, has ridden 16 winners since his debut in 2023 and six this year.
The 7lb claimer was riding 50-1 outsider Forest Hills, trained by Caroll Gray, in the opening 2m1f handicap. The horse raced at the back of the field and, nearing the 2f pole, appeared to be tiring. As Carmichael gave him a crack of the whip, the horse shifted left and clipped the hind legs of the horse in front.
Nasty looking fall
Forest Hills stumbled, hurling Carmichael to the ground. The jockey took several somersaults before coming to a halt, then rolled onto his back in obvious pain.
Race commentator Simon Holt remarked: “One has gone. Forest Hills at the back there, unseats the rider Oliver Carmichael. Nasty looking fall.”
Shortly afterwards, Sky Sports Racing reporter Vanessa Binnie Ryle said: "Forest Hills did clip heels in that race with Oliver Carmichael on board. Forest Hills did gallop away and is absolutely fine, Oliver has been stretchered into an ambulance here on the track and there are no further updates from the staff on the racecourse."
Stewards hold inquiry
A stewards inquiry was held into the incident, which determined that the jockey's fall was accidental.
The report said: “Oliver Carmichael, the rider of FOREST HILLS (IRE) had fallen two furlongs out. Carmichael was unable to be interviewed owing to his injuries. After viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that the incident was accidental and caused by FOREST HILLS (IRE) shifting left-handed, under a right-hand drive, resulting in Carmichael clipping the heels of MERRIJIG, unplaced, and Carmichael becoming unseated as a result.”
