Veteran driver Richard Simard was taken to hospital following a scary-looking fall in Thursday’s eighth race at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Simard was cutting out the mile with a pacer named Air Current when suddenly his wheel got stepped on by the pocket-sitter and he was dislodged from his bike. As a result, Simard fell between the bike and his horse before getting trampled by a number of trailing horses.

Trot Insider has learned Simard was then transported to Ottawa General Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken knee and broken ribs.

None of the other drivers involved in the race suffered injuries, and the all the horses from the race came away with no serious injuries.

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Richard Simard a speedy recovery.

The judges later declared Race 11 on the same card a ‘no contest’ as a result of a starting gate malfunction. The starter was in the process of releasing the field when the gate appeared to stall. As a result, there was confusion amongst the horses prompting the judges to declare the race a ‘no contest’.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.