In a heart-stopping incident that nearly ended in catastrophe, eight jockeys were forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision with an oncoming ambulance during a live race at Evangeline Downs in Louisiana.
A Scene of Panic on the Track
The terrifying event unfolded during the eighth race on Saturday, November 23, 2025. As the pack of eight horses, led by Explosive Legend, approached the first corner, an emergency service vehicle suddenly appeared on the track. Broadcast footage shows the moment the jockeys, displaying incredible presence of mind, swerved out of the ambulance's path to avoid a direct impact.
Immediate Aftermath and Official Response
Miraculously, no injuries to horses or riders were reported. The race commentators initially seemed unaware of the scale of the danger, but stewards later confirmed the seriousness of the near miss. An official statement declared the race void and admitted the ambulance driver was in the wrong position on the track.
Videos of the incident spread rapidly across social media, sparking outrage and disbelief within the global racing community. Irish racing analyst Kevin Blake called it one of the most terrifying near-misses he had ever seen, while legendary jockey John Velazquez described the footage as frightening and unbelievable.
A Stark Reminder of Racing's Dangers
This shocking event throws a harsh spotlight on track safety protocols. It follows several recent serious incidents in the sport, including the horrendous leg injuries sustained by British jockey Felix De Giles just last month and the hospitalisation of jockeys Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan in a York accident. The Evangeline Downs near miss serves as a potent reminder of the ever-present risks in horse racing.
