FORMER Farmor’s School pupil Thomas Garner has won the Vel’ká starohájska steeplechase in Bratislava, Slovakia, despite losing his saddle and stirrups.
In an eventful race Garner, riding Mr Pamperito, lost both his saddle and stirrups but managed to maintain his seat and go on to win the tightly fought race.
In a post race interview, Garner said; "He made a bad mistake down the straight and when I jumped the cross fence I thought about pulling up.
"But I don’t get paid to pull up, I get paid to finish or fall off. I was getting paid to do a job and thankfully the horse helped me out and I did it.
"I gives me pleasure to show my ability. I’m a bit sore now mind but it’ll be alright.”
Garner, a professional jump jockey based at the stables of Grand National winning trainer Oliver Sherwood, now travels to the Czech Republic to compete in the Velká Pardubická on October 11.
Having competed in the event twice, Garner knows what to expect from a race considered to be more dangerous than the Grand National.
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