JOCKEY Freddie Gordon apologised to punters after he came within a whisker of throwing away victory on a sure-fire winner.
Even Sky Sports Racing presenter and Sun Racing columnist Matt Chapman had to ask ‘what the hell were you doing?!’ in the post-race interview.
Freddie Gordon, in the green silks on the right aboard Jorebel, thought he had the race sewn up after appearing to check over only one of his shoulders
Hill Station came flying down Gordon’s inside – and he was forced to rally his horse after thinking he had all but won the race
Gordon clung onto win by a nose – but some punters couldn’t see a difference between them in the official photo
The jockey took the rare step of apologising to punters after almost throwing away victory
Gordon was cruising home on 3-1 Jorebel in a conditional jockeys’ novices’ handicap hurdle at Fontwell.
Four lengths ahead and with the race in control, Gordon eased down on the horse with, he thought, victory assured.
But he looked to only check over one of his shoulders for any potential late challengers.
And that meant he missed the rampaging Hill Station coming up from behind.
As Luke Scott appeared alongside Gordon, the latter had to get to work again on Jorebel.
Staring potential disaster in the fact, Gordon managed to rally his horse again and win, officially, by a nose.
However, the drama didn’t end there, with some punters questioning the official photo finish that was shown on TV.
But despite their fury, the stewards stood by their decision to name Jorebel the winner after a lengthy enquiry.
Gordon looked like he had seen a ghost in his interview afterwards.
He turned to the camera and apologised for what he called a ‘sickening’ incident that could have landed him a big ban had he lost.
An ashen-faced Gordon, when quizzed by Chapman, said: “I’m so sorry about that.
“I looked behind me and all I could see was the loose horse – the other horse was covered by the loose horse.
“Then I looked at the screen and realised there was one next to me.
“Coming to the line, it was sickening.
“There was a big delay and I didn’t know if I had won or not.
“It’s a very, very lucky day for me and I’m very sorry for giving everyone a heart attack there.
“There was probably a few quid on me.
“This is a day I won’t forget and I won’t make that mistake again.”
The official stewards’ report read: “An enquiry was held into Freddie Gordon’s ride on the winner, JOREBEL (FR), which was clear approaching the final hurdle, when Gordon started to ease his mount inside the final furlong, to hold on by a nose.
“Gordon’s explanation that he had looked over his left shoulder twice and on both occasions the loose horse had obscured his view of the strongly finishing second placed horse, was noted.
“However he was nonetheless reminded of his responsibility to ensure that he rides his mount out fully to the finish line.”
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