Aidan Coleman has come out swinging today, just 24 hours after the jockey was allegedly assaulted by drunk patrons at Southwell racecourse.
The Cork born jockey is believed to have been assaulted by two men in the weighing room last night after the final race of the day, and a police investigation is under-way after four people were arrested shortly afterwards.
The Corkman is understood to have suffered facial injuries, including two chipped teeth, but he was passed fit to ride at Chepstow today.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon he has told reporters it will take more than a few rowdy race fans to stop him from riding:
“Us jumps jockeys are a tough bunch and a slap from a drunk wouldn’t be enough to stop us going back to work the next day.”
The Corkman however is angry with the stewards and security at Southwell for allowing such an incident to take place, and has warned that the consequences could have been much worse:
“The people at fault are the two that got into the jockeys’ changing room, and the only comment I would make is to question why they were still on racecourse in the state they were.”
“Southwell have announced that they are beefing up security so from my perspective it’s over, though of course the police investigation will continue so I wouldn’t have any more to say about it anyway.”
Four people were arrested after the incident with police confirming two men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage, with another woman arrested on suspicion of obstructing police while the racecourse has promised lifetime bans for those involved.
