Punters had a shock when a horse galloped off the track and into trees during a race.
Harlem D'Athon proved unsteerable and decided to take no further part in the contest at Vichy on Sunday. Despite jockey Christopher Grosbois' best efforts, the joint top weight went his own way during the 1m 5f contest.
The five-year-old's wayward tendencies came as a surprise to his supporters, as he had experience and was chasing a hat-trick. A step slower away from several of his rivals, the gelding quickly found his stride to take an early lead.
Wearing a hood, Harlem D'Athon raced keenly under Grosbois' guidance, as the odds on favourite Happyday settled in third. Coming past the viewing area, where a group of racing fans watched the action, the leader continued at an even pace on the soft ground.
Grosbois picked up the gallop as the seven-runner field navigated the bend onto the far side of the track. It was then, within seconds, that the stayer went from being in a promising position to losing all chance.
As they swung around the corner, Harlem D'Athon hung markedly to his left. Grosbois raised his right hand on the rein to try and correct the bay horse.
But the erratic thoroughbred would not be persuaded – and he veered off the course at speed. Grosbois was a passenger as the son of Saonois headed straight into some trees surrounding the venue in Auvergne, central France.
Relaying the dramatic moment, the commentator said: "Harlem D'Athon (is in the lead) by a couple of lengths. Just a few problems with the steering there – and more than a few problems! Harlem D'Athon has run into the trees, goodness me!
"That looked a little bit dangerous but Harlem D'Athon has just run away with the jockey – and an experienced jockey too."
In the absence of plastic railings around that particular part of the circuit, fencing prevented the horse going any further. Ilbao took up the running and was tracked by the favourite.
However it was the 7-2 shot Hollee, positioned further back at that stage, who came through to win the H&M Lageneste race. The filly ended a run of second places by stretching four lengths ahead of the market leader Happyday.
Following the race, the fifth on the card, Harlem D'Athon was shown walking back in, apparently none the worse for his exertions. He was disqualified by the officials and that was recorded on his race record. Vichy, set on more than 50 acres near the Allier river, hosts the Group 3 Grand Prix de Vichy-Auvergne in July.
