Human shield: Doncaster clerk escapes injury after being kicked in the stomach

Doncaster's clerk of the course Roderick Duncan was lucky to escape serious injury when he was kicked in the stomach by a horse during racing at the Yorkshire venue on Saturday evening.

The nasty incident happened as the horses were in the parade ring before the fifth race on the card, with a runner lashing out and catching Duncan in the stomach as he attempted to move a number of people who were stood too close to the horsewalk.

Duncan, who missed the last two races on the card as he was being treated by racecourse medical staff, declared on Sunday morning that he was "a bit sore" but would be back in his customary role at Doncaster's next meeting on Thursday.

Doncaster: where clerk of the course Roderick Duncan was involved in a nasty incident on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Duncan said: "A number of people were standing a bit too close to the horsewalk around the parade ring and I'd noticed one or two of the runners were a bit flighty and prone to kicking out.

"I asked the people to move away from the area and unfortunately, while I was doing that, one of the horses did kick out and caught me in the stomach just below the ribs. I was a bit winded at the time but was given immediate medical attention."

He added: "It's amazing really – you're trying to look out for people and then that happens. In many ways I suppose it's turned out to be somewhat painfully ironic as I was acting like a type of human shield. But at least no-one was badly injured and that's the most important thing."

Related stories

Doncaster clerk calls for end to culture of criticism in racing after breakdown

Jockeys' chief warns sport puts unendurable pressure on professionals

Clerks face an impossible task that need not be made even harder

'Some days you don't want to get up' – jockey describes intense pressure of job

Duncan hit the headlines this month when speaking out on the culture of criticism and confrontation that he had experienced first-hand, which caused him exhaustion, anxiety, stress and ultimately a breakdown.

Duncan spent more than a month away from his post after getting anxiety and panic attacks late last year. He detailed how confrontation with one racing professional, who he knew well, had left him with his "confidence shot".

'We all try very hard to get things right'

Duncan, who is glad he made his point in an article published in the Racing Post this month, said: "I'm so glad I spoke out and got it off my chest – it's certainly enabled me put the matter to bed. You learn to try to manage these things and it's helped in that respect.

"I've been both surprised and pleased in equal measure about how many people have contacted me in the same situation right across the horseracing industry and agreed with what I said. There have been those working within racecourses, and even trainers and jockeys, saying the same thing.

"We all try very hard to get things right and if certain individuals aren't happy with that then they should not be shouting the odds. I understand most of the reaction is stress-driven and that's because of the pressures of the industry in which we work, but that's the point of what I said in the first place."

Download the knowledge of more than 200 experts with our free mobile app – it lets you study the form, get the latest tips and place a bet on the go. Get the app here