Veteran race-caller Bryan Martin says that young jockey Josh Cartwright’s decision to turn a horse he rode directly into the path of rival horses at Morphettville last week is one of the most dangerous things he has ever seen at a racecourse.
The talented 22-year-old jockey was riding aboard outsider Senior Council at the Adelaide venue last Saturday, and seemed out of contention as the horses entered the final stretch of the race.
At this point Cartwright pointed his horse at a sharp angle to the right, directly into the path of well backed horses Go the Journey and House of Wax - whose jockey, Jason Holder, nearly fell out of his saddle after the bizarre act.
Cartwright was immediately suspended following the incident, with an investigation currently taking place whether the jockey deliberately made the move to protect the race winner, $4 favourite Murti, who was being ridden by his girlfriend, Norwegian apprentice jockey Anna Jordsjo.
A decision on Cartwright’s long-term future in the sport will be determined in a hearing likely to occur within the next three weeks.
Martin describes the situation as sad, and expects that the 22-year-old will be found guilty of deliberately making the move and be suspended for at least 12 months.
“It was a terrible thing to do,” he said on SEN SportSENtral.
“He took two horses out of play, he interfered with them that badly.
“They were lucky to stay on their feet, he could have caused a fall which could have been catastrophic for the two jockeys on the outside of him. There’s no excuse whatsoever.
“He really is an outstanding young horseman so there’s been a brain fade here some way, somehow.
“He’d be looking at a 12 month suspension I would think, which would put him virtually out of the game.
“It was a ridiculous act… one of the most dangerous things I have seen in my time of over 40 years of horse racing.”
Martin says the move broke all established rules of trust jockey’s share with one another when racing.
“There has got to be respect,” he said.
“They’re controlling an animal, they’re a tenth of the animal’s weight and they try to make the right decision at the right time and not get it wrong.
“It is the most dangerous sport I believe. You must have trust in your fellow man or fellow woman who’s riding against you. This crossed all those lines.”