CHRIS HAYES has been called up to ride Owen Burrows’ star Anmaat in the Irish Champion Stakes.
The Irishman is stepping in for Jim Crowley, who suffered a broken leg and fractured pelvis after a horror fall at York on Sunday.
Chris Hayes will replace the injured Jim Crowley on Anmaat in the Irish ChampionSportsfile – Subscription
GettyAnmaat is a general 8-1 shot for Leopardstown’s big race[/caption]
Former champion jockey Crowley, 47, underwent surgery on Monday morning and faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
That leaves powerful owners Shadwell, for whom Crowley is retained rider, needing to find replacements on their horses for the remainder of the season, and Hayes will get the opportunity to win a massive prize at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Hayes, 38, rode the Irish-based Shadwell for several years, including winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas for them on Awtaad in 2016.
The classy Anmaat, who beat Calandagan in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last year, is a general 8-1 shot for the Irish version this weekend.
Burrows said: “Chris Hayes will ride at the weekend. There is plenty of rain in the forecast which will suit as he loves to get his toe in.
“The horse seems in great form at home. He ran a brilliant race in the Prince Of Wales’s behind Ombudsman earlier in the year when the ground was quicker than he’d like.
“It’s a short straight at Leopardstown but he’s got a great turn of foot, which could be crucial.”
Crowley was riding the William Haggas-trained favourite Almeraq in the Listed Garrowby Stakes at York when the horse appeared to clip heels and fall.
The horse brought down Tiger Bay, who was being ridden by Trevor Whelan, and there was a significant delay while both jockeys received treatment on the track before being taken to Leeds General Infirmary.
Whelan posted on social media that he had broken his leg in three places, while Shadwell’s racing manager Angus Gold confirmed Crowley had also suffered nasty injuries.
He said: “Jim is not in a very good way.
“He’s having an operation as we speak, we think he’s broken his leg and pelvis, but we haven’t heard more than that.
“It was a scary moment. It’s too early to suggest who might ride what, we haven’t sat down to discuss anything yet.”
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