Royal Ascot chaos as jockey launched from winning horse amid utter mayhem at finish line
James Doyle was thrown off Lazzat in a chaotic twist just moments after riding the four-year-old to victory at Royal Ascot
James Doyle was unexpectedly unseated from Lazzat in a surprising turn of events, just moments after guiding the four year old to victory at Royal Ascot.
Lazzat, who is co-owned by the Emir of Qatar, fended off a late challenge from Satono Reve to clinch the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for trainer Jerome Reynier.
Flora Of Bermuda finished third but was well behind the leading pair. Doyle's elation quickly turned into shock as Lazzat, still full of energy, threw him off just as he was preparing for photographs and his post-race interview with ITV Racing.
The horse then began to gallop around the track. Staff members made frantic attempts to regain control of Lazzat, but the horse continued its impromptu lap of honour.
Eventually, Lazzat was caught and led back to the winner's enclosure so the celebrations could officially commence.
Doyle, unscathed from the unusual incident, managed to see the funny side when he was finally interviewed on ITV Racing.
He commented: "Trying to flash the sheet at him and he went around, but yeah, what can you say? I can't take any credit for this at all.
"Jerome and his team, they know all about him. The jockey who previously partnered with him, his young rider in France, did a sterling job advancing him through the levels.
"He also took the reins in Australia for the Golden Eagle, where he put in an impressive performance. We were well-prepared, and I must mention that Jerome was brimming with confidence."
He was saying all week: 'Don't worry about the ground, he's fine'. We mapped the pace out and I just thought: 'If I end up winning, I end up winning'.
He [Reynier] said: 'Don't worry, he won't stop'. It worked out perfectly. I could feel him [Satono Reve] coming, but you won't get a more genuine horse than this. He really pinned his ears back when he joined me and he was always going to fend it off.
"It does help when you get a double on the first day, you can just relax into it. If I had a pound for every time someone said to me: 'That's it, the pressure is off'... but it's completely the opposite.
"Especially with this horse today. I thought he was my banker of the week, which I feel a bit guilty because we only picked the horse up a couple of weeks ago and obviously I landed on him, but I have to say a huge thank you to all of the team."
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