Kentucky Derby horse scratched after throwing jockey while getting loaded into starting gate
Things got very interesting before the start of the Kentucky Derby when one of the horses reared up and threw his jockey towards the starting gate.
As the starting gate was loading, the Great White ridden by jockey Alex Achard appeared to be spooked by something, reared up and fell backwards.
This caused Achard to tumble; The 1,300-pound horse landed on his back and nearly rolled onto the jockey.
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Fortunately both Achard and the Great White appeared fine after the incident, but the horse was immediately scratched and led away from the gate. The rest of the field then loaded up and the race finished without a hitch.
Altın Tempo, which entered the race with a 30-1 lead, emerged victorious.
The Great White was scratched after ejecting his jockey just minutes before the start of the Kentucky Derby. (© Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Man, what a heartfelt moment it was before the race started.
For some reason I think we forget how big horses are because they’re usually pretty cool. But occasionally one decides, “Meh, I’m not doing this whole racing thing today” and angrily gives up, but it’s not always like that.
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It’s always worth noting that the Great White was one of the biggest horses in the field, so there were so many that he nearly fell on his jockey.
A general view of the Twin Towers at Churchill Downs ahead of the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky., on May 2, 2026. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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Although a little horse falling on you wouldn’t be fun, not even one of those mini horses.
Of course, veterinarians will give the Great White a thorough exam next, and hopefully Achard will be checked over at the horse racing version of the infield care center that NASCAR drivers visit after an accident.
