Top jockey Hollie Doyle has been ruled out of riding after a shocking fall which led to the tragic death of a special horse.
The 26-year-old sportswoman was hurt when The Perfect Crown suffered an injury in a race at Wolverhampton on Monday.
The 4-7 favourite was leading the Spreadex Sports First Goalscorer Insurance Claiming Stakes with Free Solo by his side when the incident happened.
Eventual winner Business narrowly avoided Doyle and The Perfect Crown, who sadly could not be saved.
In 2019, Doyle rode became the third female jockey in Britain to ride 100 winners in a calendar year, when the bay gelding was successful on racecourse debut at Chelmsford.
Doyle looked shaken by the incident and walked away while holding her left arm. She was stood down from her remaining booked rides and will not compete on Tuesday at Kempton.
She said: “Dr Jerry Hill (chief medical adviser for the British Horseracing Authority) has got me in to see a specialist today to get my arm checked out, so I will know more after that.
“I can’t bend my arm at the minute and I’m trying to get into Oaksey House today hopefully to see if a physio can sort it out.”.
Hambleton Racing's director Simon Turner paid tribute to The Perfect Crown, who won two races from 12 appearances on the track.
"It's very sad to lose him, he was a lovely horse. We are relieved that he didn't suffer and that Hollie was able to walk away," he said.
Following the fall, At the Races tweeted: "Sad news that The Perfect Crown broke down in an incident at @WolvesRaces. Thoughts are with @Archie_Watson, @HambletonRacing and all connections."
Racing fans commented on the tragic turn of events and one wrote on social media: "Horrible to see particularly being here in person made even more scary glad to see Hollie on her feet."
Another added: "That was awful to watch. Glad to see @HollieDoyle1 up on her feet sending love and hugs that she is ok, but as she was holding her wrist praying it’s not a serious injury."
The Perfect Crown had previous wins at Lingfield and Chelmsford during his career and was competing for the first time in 2023 at Wolverhampton.
Doyle finished second in last season's flat jockey's championship with 91 wins from 613 rides. Her husband Tom Marquand also had the same amount of winners during the flat season but had ridden more horses.
The racing power couple were married last year in a lavish ceremony in Doyle's home county of Herefordshire.
Last year Doyle became the first female jockey to win a European Classic when she rode Nashwa to victory in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly.
In 2019, Doyle finished third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award after setting a new record for winners ridden in a calendar year in Britain by a female jockey with 116 victories. She has since beaten her own record several times.
