Trot Insider has learned an accident prior to the start of Friday’s first race at Flamboro Downs has sent driver Robert Shepherd to hospital
. The extent of his injuries isn’t known at this time.
“J.R. Plante’s horse [Fox Valley Tyra] was coming out of the paddock and reared up and got hooked up with Robert Shepherd’s horse [Rapid Melody], and Robert hit the ground and was injured,” said Flamboro’s track announcer Gary Guy.
Shepherd was taken by ambulance to Hamilton General Hospital, where he received some good news.
"Robert was checked out at the hospital and was later released with no major injuries," added Guy.
Plante came away unscathed as did both of the horses involved in the mishap.
The start of the program was delayed for more than 30 minutes while Shepherd waited for an off-site ambulance to transport him to hospital.
Why did he have to wait for
Why did he have to wait for an off-site ambulance? My understanding is that there is to be an ambulance on-site at all times when racing is being conducted. To have to wait 30 min. to be taken to hospital is ridiculous.