Jockey's death ruled accidental

Tom Halliday died after a heavy fall

The death of a jockey during a race in Lincolnshire was not the fault of any other rider, a coroner has ruled.

Tom Halliday, 20, from Eldwick, Yorks, died after being crushed by his mount Rush 'n' Run in a heavy fall during a hurdle race at Market Rasen on 3 July.

He was three fences out when the horse, which was on the outside, fell after veering to the left.

The coroner was told the horse was nudged before it veered, but he said no other rider could be blamed.

Stable lad

The hearing was told that as the horse moved left Halliday tried to pull it to the right to compensate.

He was unseated and the horse fell on him, leaving him lying unconscious on the turf with multiple injuries.

Halliday was treated by the course doctor and paramedics before being rushed to Lincoln County Hospital, but never regained consciousness.

The inquest, which lasted just three minutes, heard the results of a steward's inquiry and ruled the incident was "a tragic racing accident".

He worked as a stable lad in Eldwick, near Bradford before embarking on a jockey career that saw him win three hurdle races and one National Hunt Flat race in 51 rides.

His death was the first on a racecourse in mainland Britain since Richard Davies was killed in a fall at Southwell, Notts, in July 1996.

A fund has been set up at Market Rasen racecourse in his memory.

Over 300 mourners packed the Christ The King Church in Crossflatts near Bradford, with many having to listen to loudspeakers outside.