Jockey Aaron Kuru has made a spectacular recovery after his mount Des De Jeu fell at the opening fence at Awapuni on Saturday, remounting to guide the novice steeplechaser home for an unlikely win.
One of the most extraordinary wins you will ever see on a racetrack. Jockey @AaronKuru comes off his horse, Des De Jeu, at the first jump only to remount and go and win!@SKYNZ #NZRacing pic.twitter.com/gjrliJF0Wk
— TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) June 16, 2018
Kuru said Des De Jeu landed a little steeply after taking the first fence in the 3200m maiden steeplechase event, crashing heavily to the ground.
The 26-year-old Waikato jockey didn't skip a beat, remounting the five-year-old gelding almost instantaneously then rejoining the race to run down race favourite Gagarin and steal victory.
"I can't really explain it, it just sort of happened," Kuru said afterwards.
"I got back on and he joined back into the race. He's got plenty of ability... after the first he jumped pretty well, but there's still plenty of improvement there."
-RNZ
