Snapped rein proves no problem for Lynch on tricky ride

Fergal Lynch had to have his wits about him at Laurel Park on Friday, when long odds-on shot Tricks To Doo gave him precisely that in an interesting, winning spin.

The ex-British-based jockey displayed fine horsemanship at the Maryland track on the juvenile, who fetched $600,000 at the sales, when his inside rein snapped moments after the gates opened.

Lynch held on to the horse's mane to help steer him round the turn, and the pair justified the 1-9 starting price with a near six-length win.

However, the drama was not quite over for Lynch, as Tricks To Doo then unshipped him after the line, though neither horse nor jockey were injured.

Lynch said: "We jumped out of the gate today and the first jump the rein snapped, so I just had to just try to nurse him around. He was much the best horse.

"Once he got past the wire he knew where to go back to the paddock and I had to just bail out."

He added: “I was lucky I wasn’t hurt, and the horse is okay, that’s the main thing. I was steering him with just the mane and the bridle and I’m shouting for the outriders past the wire.

"She came over but by that stage the horse had already gone down to the paddock. That’s a first. That can go in the book."

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