Jockey apologises after early celebration almost cost him big race victory
Leandro Henrique said he got carried away in the moment when standing up in the irons, nearly throwing away victory in Brazil's biggest horse race
A jockey has apologised after performing a dangerously early celebration which nearly cost him victory in Brazil's biggest horse race.
Leandro Henrique was riding second favourite Sinsel in the Grande Premio Brasil, run at Gavea racecourse in Rio De Janeiro. Victory would guarantee a place in the field for the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar in November. Sinsel powered to the front with 600m to run but crossed the line with just a nose to spare, as a result of Henrique's antics in the saddle.
Henrique was still 50m from the winning post and only marginally in front of his rivals when he decided to stand up in the irons and celebrate.
He hung there, facing the crowd, with his right arm outstretched for three strides before he turned to the front just as they reached the line. Fortunately for the jockey the photo-finish showed Sinsel's nose came down just ahead of runner-up Valparaiso.
'I'm still at a loss for words, I'm in shock because of the finish,' Henrique told Jockey Club Brasileiro post-race.
'I didn't see the horse on the inside, I was just caught up in the moment and celebrating because I have dreamed about winning this race and also my daughter is arriving soon. I am very happy but I am very relieved.
'I want to apologise to Mr Esteves and to the owners, Stud Red Rafa. This will never happen again.'
He continued: 'Many people are judging me for not being cold, but only those who have ridden horses know what is really going on there when you are about to win the most important race in the country. It is indescribable.
'Thank God, I realised the threat in time and guaranteed victory. I have spoken with the trainer and the owners, everything is fine and we resolved it ourselves. In the end, racing is about one thing – crossing the finish line first. And I did it.'
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5 days ago
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Jockey apologises after early celebration almost cost him big race victory
Leandro Henrique said he got carried away in the moment when standing up in the irons, nearly throwing away victory in Brazil's biggest horse race A jockey has apologised after performing a dangerously early celebration which nearly cost him victory in Brazil's biggest horse race. Leandro Henrique was riding second favourite Sinsel in the Grande Premio Brasil, run at Gavea racecourse in Rio De Janeiro. Victory would guarantee a place in the field for the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar in November. Sinsel powered to the front with 600m to run but crossed the line with just a nose to spare, as a result of Henrique's antics in the saddle. Henrique was still 50m from the winning post and only marginally in front of his rivals when he decided to stand up in the irons and celebrate. He hung there, facing the crowd, with his right arm outstretched for three strides before he turned to the front just as they reached the line. Fortunately for the jockey the photo-finish showed Sinsel's nose came down just ahead of runner-up Valparaiso. 'I'm still at a loss for words, I'm in shock because of the finish,' Henrique told Jockey Club Brasileiro post-race. 'I didn't see the horse on the inside, I was just caught up in the moment and celebrating because I have dreamed about winning this race and also my daughter is arriving soon. I am very happy but I am very relieved. 'I want to apologise to Mr Esteves and to the owners, Stud Red Rafa. This will never happen again.' He continued: 'Many people are judging me for not being cold, but only those who have ridden horses know what is really going on there when you are about to win the most important race in the country. It is indescribable. 'Thank God, I realised the threat in time and guaranteed victory. I have spoken with the trainer and the owners, everything is fine and we resolved it ourselves. In the end, racing is about one thing – crossing the finish line first. And I did it.'
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