Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon has apologised after he elbowed one of his opponents off their horse in the middle of a race at Saint-Cloud this afternoon.
The nasty incident was captured by the cameras at the French race course, with the rider in question now set to be handed a two-month suspension.
Soumillon was on board Syros for the 12.20 race, becoming involved in a tangle with Rossa Ryan who was riding Captain Wierzba.
After the pair got a bit too close, Soumillion seemed to throw out an elbow in order to create some room. Unfortunately, this would send his rival tumbling off the horse and result in a rather nasty fall.
You can watch the incident below.
Very nasty. Rossa Ryan took a horrible fall mid-race after contact with Christophe Soumillon... pic.twitter.com/m0IqvCsC9F
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 30, 2022
Thankfully, Ryan was unhurt after the fall.
Christophe Soumillon would soon appear on air to apologise for his actions, saying that he was set to receive a two month ban as a result.
“I’m terribly sad with what happened” – Christophe Soumillon apologises for elbowing Rossa Ryan off his mount at Saint-Cloud earlier today. pic.twitter.com/52OrMAMwTc
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 30, 2022
I received a little of pressure from Rossa [Ryan], I was trying to keep a better position behind Ryan. I was just behind Ryan at that time.
I put my elbow against him to make him understand that I wasn't going to the inside. Unfortunately, when I asked my horse to stay there and go a little bit to the right, I had pushed him for a stride or two, he fell off.
Straight away I knew I made a mistake. I'm terribly sad with what happened, because I hate seeing stuff like this.
When you are doing it, it's even more terrible. I really want to apologise to everyone, not just the person owning the horse or training the horse, or even the jockey.
I just saw him now and he is fine. I am happy for that, the horse too.
For all of the people that love racing, it was not a nice act on my side. I'm terribly sorry and I want to apologise for what I did today.
I just received a big suspension from France Galop stewards - I am gong to be suspended for two months.
My season is now gone. I accept the sentence for what I did, it was a terrible decision.
Certainly a nasty incident, one you'd hope we won't see repeated anytime soon.
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