Jockey Devon A. Thomas (right), who rode SPACESAVER to victory in the Champion Betting Claiming Series Race No. 4 over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday, explaining to connections of the winning horse his version of what occured during the spill in the eighth race at Caymanas Park yesterday. - Ian Allen/Photographer

Leading jockey Omar Walker and top apprentice Doushane Gordon will both be out of the saddle for awhile after both sustained injuries in a spill in the eighth race over 1600 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.

The incident occurred approaching the 600-metre pole when Gordon's mount DIGI N' JIGGY stumped and fell head first, after racing prominently on the rails, decking the star apprentice. As he hit the ground, Gordon was kicked by an incoming horse, WE WILL SEE, who also went down, dislodging his apprentice rider, Vijay Ashley.

If that wasn't enough, Walker's mount SAMBA DANCER, who was some way off the pace, also fell in the scuffle, throwing the champion jockey, who suffered a heavy fall as he hit the ground.

All three riders were rushed to the First Aid Post for medical attention. Scores of concerned turfites quickly converged on the area (First Aid Post) where it was learnt that Walker and Gordon were seriously injured.

official reports

From the official reports coming out of the First Aid Post, Walker, the leading jockey with 97 winners, fractured his right shoulder. Gordon, on the other hand, sustained injury to his left shoulder.

Both have been referred to the Accident and Emergency Unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Ashley, however, was not as serious. Reports indicate he was badly shaken up and in some pain, but was prescribed pain-killers and sent home.

Two of the horses involved in the spill - WE WILL SEE and DIGI N' JIGGY - were injured so badly that they had to be euthanised.

The race in question was won by the 5-2 second favourite, SPACESAVER, ridden by Devon A. Thomas for trainer George Edwards.

Always prominent as MISS TIMS (9-1) made most, SPACESAVER successfully challenged as they swung into the straight and moved away to win by eight lengths from the 1-1 favourite TOUCHDOWN.

On a day when new trainers Gordon Lewis and Leroy Biggs posted their first winners in the two-year-old filly REMMI CASE (7-2, made all) and RULE BY SECRECY (7-2), respectively, FOREVER MINE (7-1) made all to win the G.A. 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Trophy race over the straight five course, winning by 3 1/4 lengths from the 6-5 favourite MINISTEROFJUSTICE in a field of 11 overnight allowance horses.

FOREVER MINE, who was notching his second win in October, was ridden by title-chasing jockey Paul 'Country' Francis for owner Trevor Dunkley and trainer Neive Graham.

Francis (83 wins) rode two winners on the card in FOREVER MINE and BADJEROS ROSE, to cut Walker's lead to 14. With Walker expected to be sidelined for a while, the championship race has now taken on added significance.