Amputee Disney fairytale continues, wins Military Gold Cup
LONDON: Amputee jockey and former soldier Guy Disney won the prestigious Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown on Friday following up his victory in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup at the same racecourse.
The 34-year-old, who lost his lower right leg when his vehicle was hit by a grenade while serving with British forces in Afghanistan in 2009, coasted to a 12 length victory on the David Pipe-trained Rathlin Rose, the 7/4 favourite.
He had partnered Rathlin Rose to make history in February when he became the first amputee jockey to win at a professional racecourse.
“If anyone is looking for a one-legged jockey next week I’m free!” joked Disney referring to National Hunt racing’s showpiece meeting the Cheltenham Festival which runs from Tuesday to Friday next week.
“That’s just magical – what a lovely horse. The race went nicely. I was definitely not thinking about winning, just getting him over the fences.
“If it wasn’t for (consultant doctor) David Carey, who took the case on when I’d been given a resounding no, and a lot of other people I wouldn’t be here.”
Disney, who had to convince the British Horseracing Authority by passing several tests he was fit to compete, tried to shrug off the achievement of winning with just one leg in a race restricted to horses which are owned by serving or former military personnel.
Riding over fences sounds mild in comparison to what he achieved in 2013 when he took part in the Walking With The Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge accompanied by Prince Harry.
He also undertook a trip to the North Pole in 2012. — AFP