Irish jockey Rossa Ryan was shoved off his horse while riding at Saint-Cloud in France on Friday afternoon.
The Galway native was elbowed by Christophe Soumillon as the pair jostled for position in the 12.20. Thankfully, he was seen up and walking into a medical van not long after the shocking moment.
Soumillon has already been given a 60-day ban but he will still be allowed to race over the weekend including aboard Vadeni in the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday. The Belgian quickly issued an on-air apology for what he did.
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He told At The Races: "I received a little bit of pressure off Rossa. I tried to keep behind.
"I was just behind him at that time and I put my elbow out against him just to make him understand I wasn't going to the inside.
"And unfortunately when I asked my horse to stay there and go a little bit to the right, I pushed him for one stride or two and 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 and when you are the one doing it's even more terrible.
"So I really want to apologise to everyone, not just only Rossa but the trainer and everyone involved.
"I just saw him (Ryan) now and he's fine so I'm happy for that. And the horse too.
"But for everyone who loves racing it was not a nice act from my side and I am terribly sorry and 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."
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