Veteran jockey critically ill after fall

Trevor Radford is one Britain's oldest jockeys

A veteran amateur jockey is critically ill after falling from his horse in what was to be his last race.

Trevor Radford, 64, came down when his mount Landican Lane, owned by his wife Janet, was hampered on a bend in an amateur riders' event at Goodwood in West Sussex on Saturday.

Suddenly Mr Radford was sliding along the ground on his back right next to me

Jockey Steve Rees

He was taken by ambulance to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester and later transferred to Southampton General Hospital, to undergo an operation for a subdural haemorrhage - bleeding in the brain.

Mr Radford is one of the oldest jockeys to have ridden in the UK.

He returned to thoroughbred racing last year, having not ridden under rules since 1953.

He had ridden in Arab races in the 1990s and passed medical tests before making his return from a 46-year break last November.

Having retired from his job as a car mechanic at a motor dealership in Guildford, Surrey, two weeks ago, he was intending to make the ride his last.

Strict tests

Steve Rees, who also rode in the race, said: "There was a little bit of tightening up and suddenly Mr Radford was sliding along the ground on his back right next to me."

Jockey Club spokesman, John Maxse, confirmed that Mr Radford had passed strict tests before his licence to ride as an amateur jockey was granted.

"Licensing somebody of that age would inevitably raise an eyebrow or two, not least within the licensing department itself," he said.

"When we receive an application for an amateurs' licence they must pass a very rigorous medical examination and prove that they have sufficient experience and fitness."

He said a licence would not be granted if there was a chance they could in any way pose a danger to any other horse or rider.

"One of the reasons Mr Radford did pass was that he had demonstrated a high level of fitness and competency in the saddle when he was competing in Arab races," he added.