Jockey wins race after clinging to horse’s neck during dramatic fall

An amateur jockey managed to cling to his horse after being thrown off on the home straight – then went on to win his race for good measure.

Michael Sweeney made the miraculous recovery after grappling to stay on at the Killeagh Point to Point meet in Cork, Ireland, on Sunday.

The young rider was flung off the side of seven-year-old Ask Heather after the final fence but didn’t let it stop him soaring ahead.

Sweeney had been leading the race for owner Declan Queally before the stumble.

Video of the race shows him desperately clinching the mare’s neck as he attempts to regain balance.

Throwing his leg back over the horse’s body, Sweeney managed to re-position himself and stormed ahead to secure an unforgettable victory by four lengths.

Patrick Mulcahy wrote on Twitter: ‘This will go down in loving memory on the @irishp2p scene.’

Lee Mottershead said: ‘This one defies gravity and belief. Extraordinary work from Michael Sweeney.’

While race trainer Fergal O’Brien said: ‘What have Michael Sweeney and Theresa May got in common?

‘They’ve both held on in seemingly impossible situations recently.’

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from Metro https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/21/jockey-races-ahead-clinging-horses-neck-dramatic-race-fall-8367843/
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