Jockey suffers electric shock from starting stalls after towing vehicle touches live fence

© PA Nasty shock: a rider suffered an electric shock from the starting stalls before a race in Australia

A jockey did not get the start she expected before a race in Australia on Tuesday when it turned out she had received an electric shock.

The unnamed rider was getting ready to ride in a sprint handicap at Emerald in Queensland when she reported feeling a tingling sensation.

Investigations subsequently revealed that the vehicle towing the starting stalls was in contact with a live electric fence.

The race was eventually allowed to go ahead and no injuries were reported to any horse or jockey.

The stewards report from the meeting said: “Prior to the running of the event, a rider reported that whilst in the starting stalls in race four, she may have felt a tingling sensation when touching the barriers.

“Upon further investigation it was established that the vehicle towing the barriers was in contact with an electric fence which may have been sending a small current through the metal sections of the starting stalls.

“Stewards ordered club officials to rectify the issue and were satisfied to proceed with the meeting. Upon further review of race four, stewards were satisfied that this issue had no impact on any runner in the event.”