Jockey Najair in hospital, mowed down by raging horse

The 10-race midweek card at Caymanas Park yesterday was turned on its head after jockey Vassell “Jolly” Najair was injured in what can be best described as an unfortunate incident.

It took place just before the start of the sixth race when Perfect Asset, number seven in the race with Jerome Innis up, started to misbehave and then bolted from behind the gates.

It is further understood that Najair, who was near to the winners' enclosure at the time, stepped out onto the track to assist in guiding Perfect Asset through the opening leading down to the entry and exit tunnel, directly in front of the stands.

One eyewitness reported that Perfect Asset did not go down the tunnel, but instead veered right, running down the bridle path with Najair following behind. Perfect Asset, now extremely fractious, then turned around and lashed out at Najair who was hit several times.

Najair, a veteran reinsman at the track, was immediately attended to by race-day medical personnel before being rushed to hospital. Najair was not riding on the day.

The jockey suffered lacerations to one of his ears and some noticeable head injuries. Najair was set to undergo a number of scans to determine his status, but up to press time there was no official update.

A doctor on duty at Caymanas Park said that “he was stable when he left the racetrack”.

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Back on the track, the Anthony Nunes-conditioned Dontae brushed aside rivals to win the $1-million Kenneth Mattis OD Memorial Trophy feature over 10 furlongs (2,000m).

Ridden by Linton Steadman, Donate won by three lengths ahead of Francia's Pride (Dane Dawkins) and Bruce Wayne (Hakeem Pottinger).

After splits of 25.0, 53.1, 1:18.0 and 1:43.1, the final time was recorded at a pedestrian 2:11.1 minutes.

It was the second winner for Steadman as he closed the programme aboard the Carlos Leung-trained Hey Champ going seven furlongs. Hey Champ got the better of Subbie (Bebeto Harvey) and Winter Is Coming (Omar Walker).

Racing continues on Saturday with the Cash Pot 'Only One For Me' Trophy event. Eleven races are down for competition.