Laytown

Jockey Johnny King hangs on as his mount Arbritrageur went airborne before a race at Ireland’s Laytown Racecourse. Both would be ok. (Photo: Healy Racing, via @IndoSport).

First, the good news: jockey Johnny King and his keyed up mount, Arbritrageur, as well as the helplessly frightened if not slightly impressed groom, Aidan Wall, all escaped this pre-race episode injury free. I suppose the only bad news in all this is directed towards his backers, as Arbritrageur finished 7th in the Barry Matthews Appreciation Society Handicap earlier today at Laytown.

Just another reminder how incredibly athletic thoroughbreds truly are…

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2011 Preakness Stakes champ Shackleford jumps for joy at Saratoga. Groom not impressed. (Photo courtesy of Adam Mooshian/NYRA)

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“Kriss Kross made me…”

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1940’s champion show jumping thoroughbred Fitzrada, ridden by Jane Pohl. (Photo: Univ. of North Carolina-Wilmington)

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Denny Emerson and Chestry Oak.

If not a tad stubborn and unpredictable as well…

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“I said ‘WHEN I’M READY’!”(Photo: Art Petrosemolo)

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“Y’know, on second thought, nah.” Tim Price and Vortex at Burghley 2009 (wikipedia)