And one of the riders, Rowan Scott, missed out on a big winner when recent Redcar scorer Naana’s Sparkle won the Buccellati Handicap at the Sussex track.
Scott was with Callum Rodriguez, PJ McDonald, Tom Eaves, and Jack Garritty on a private plane which suffered an engine problem after taking off from Bagby Airfield, near Thirsk.
The aircraft was able to return to Bagby and the jockeys were all unhurt though understandably shaken.
Scott even had the presence of mind to send messages from the plane to his agent, Niall Hannitty, telling him he wouldn’t make it to Goodwood to ride Naana’s Sparkle for Alice Haynes, and Magellan Cloud for John and Sean Quinn.
“The main thing is they got back down and they are all safe now,” said Hannitty. “It was Rowan’s first time in a private plane – he said it’s also his last!”
To make matters worse Naana’s Sparkle – a winner for Scott at Redcar in June – won the fifth race at Goodwood at odds of 15/2 with Charlie Bishop deputising in the saddle.
