Winx jockey Hugh Bowman banned for six weeks after fall that hospitalised rider

A remorseful Hugh Bowman has been suspended for six weeks for what has been described as an "un-Hugh Bowman-like" ride in last Saturday's horror fall at Rosehill in which fellow rider Andrew Adkins suffered serious injuries.

Bowman, who partnered Winx for all 25 of her top-level successes, has since released a statement apologising to Adkins and sent his condolences to the connections of Hot 'N' Hazy, who was fatally injured in the incident.

Fairfax Media reported on Thursday that Bowman was suspended after Racing NSW stewards made the "very, very difficult" decision to impose the ban for his role in the fall.

Bowman pleaded not guilty to a charge of careless riding as he was quizzed along with fellow riders Glyn Schofield and Robbie Dolan.

According to the Fairfax Media report, Bowman provided stewards with 19 still photos as he gave an explanation for his riding, claiming the high-profile incident had had "an effect on me and my family".

Bowman said he had spoken to Adkins and told him how "sorry I was for the accident", which has left the luckless jockey nursing a collapsed lung, seven broken ribs, a broken collarbone and two fractured bones in his leg.

Hugh Bowman: guided Winx to victory over Benbatl and Oisin Murphy in the 2018 Cox PlateCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

Bowman expressed his regret for the fall and said his thoughts were with Adkins but claimed "circumstances out of his control" – including Schofield's shift out on leader Mr Colorful – contributed to the accident.

When quizzed by stewards, Schofield said his move was "inconsequential" to Adkins' fall.

Bowman pointed to various camera angles, including one behind the field, which he said proved he was entitled to angle for the run and which was going to require "minimal contact" with Adkins' mount Hot 'N' Hazy.

Bowman labelled Hot 'N' Hazy as "tiring", while his horse Smart Image, who went on to win the race, was "travelling".

Acting chief steward Wade Birch said Bowman's action to urge his mount close to the heels of the leader Mr Colorful had contributed to his charge, describing the ride as "un-Hugh Bowman-like".

"I'm remorseful for the incident that happened," Bowman told the stewards panel. "[But] this was by no means a rushed or spur-of-the-moment decision. Unfortunately, due to other circumstances, it resulted in a dreadful accident."

Adkins is recovering in Westmead Hospital after surgery on his injuries, while the horse he fell from, Danny Williams' Hot 'N' Hazy, was euthanised on the track.

In a statement released online, the remorseful Bowman wished Adkins a "full and speedy recovery".

"I have spoken to Andrew to convey how sorry I was for the accident and he was in good spirits after his operation which was very pleasing and reassuring to hear," Bowman’s statement read.

"To Danny Williams and the connections of Hot 'N' Hazy, I would like to share my condolences. Having been involved with horses all my life, I know how tragic the loss of a horse is for all concerned.

"I would like to thank the stewards for a fair hearing. Jockeys are required to make split-second decisions under enormous pressure and sometimes we make the wrong decision.

"As a jockey with over 20 years of professional riding experience I have always prided myself on riding competitively but also within the rules.

"All jockeys endeavour to give their mounts the best opportunity to win, while also ensuring the safety of their fellow jockeys and horses."

Another horse which was part of the chain reaction, Edward Cummings' filly Sunborn, has been ruled out for up to six months to undergo surgery on a broken bone in her near fore leg.

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