ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Illinois, 18 August 2003 — Top American jockey Gary Stevens, who had a leading role in the hit film “Seabiscuit”, was thrown off after his mount Storming Home crossed the finish line first in the Arlington Million on Saturday.
Storming Home veered to the right, into the path of Sulamani, which was later declared the winner of the prestigious turf race. Stevens tried to hang on but tumbled to the ground and was kicked on his left shoulder as the 13-strong field thundered home.
The jockey eventually sat up after lying motionless for several minutes. He was hurried from the track on a stretcher and taken to Northwest Community Hospital.
“Gary is conscious and talking,” Arlington chaplain Dennis Nelson told reporters after accompanying Stevens to the hospital. “He has been given a painkiller and had X-rays taken of his left shoulder, which he said was stepped on.”
Storming Home was dropped to fourth following a stewards’ inquiry, drawing jeers from the crowd. Paolini, with Andreas Suborics aboard, finished in a dead heat for second place with Kaieteur, who was ridden by Rene Douglas.
Sulamani, who won the 2002 French Derby, is owned by Dubai-based Godolphin Racing.
