We aren’t sure what the standard view out of a Musselburgh window is on a quiet Monday afternoon. However, it almost certainly isn’t a racehorse strolling serenely down the street. Unlikely as it may seem, that was just the sight which greeted locals glancing through their curtains on Monday 9th December.
Rufio Does Things His Own Way
𝗥𝗨𝗙𝗜𝗢 unseated Lucy Brown at Musselburgh today and managed to get off the racecourse before running into town!
Thankfully he is okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/m6uZvyNVRR
— Archie Brookes (@brookesbldstck) December 9, 2024
Before the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Chase, the ten-year-old Rufio had behaved relatively well during a racing career which had taken in stints under the care of Harry Fry and Peter Mason. Whilst only managing to win in the Point-to-Point sphere, he had proven consistent under rules, with five placed efforts from ten outings. Given that unremarkable record, few could have predicted what would unfold as he made his first start for Gary Rutherford.
Sent off as the 100/1 rank outsider of the 11-runner field, not much was expected of the mount of Miss Lucy Brown. As such, there were unlikely to have been too many betting slips sent towards the dustbin when the unfancied contender unseated his rider at the fourth fence. However, that was only the beginning of Rufio’s adventures.
Rufio Unseats Jockey & Heads for Town
When unseating at an obstacle, a runner is commonly reined in by their rider or a member of the racecourse staff before being led back to the paddock. Rufio had a different plan in mind. Seemingly eager to complete at least a little more of the 2m7½f contest, the bay gelding continued at the head of the field for another circuit of the Musselburgh track.
There was nothing too unusual to that point, with many runners keen to follow their galloping instinct having unshipped their rider. However, having made the trip to Musselburgh from his Jedburgh base, Rufio took the time to take in a little more of what the Scottish town had to offer.
Spotting a weak point in the exterior fencing at the course, Rufio made his break for freedom, evading the efforts of the pursuing pack of ground staff. He was later sighted galloping past parked cars and along quiet streets in the suburbs, with his antics making a splash on social media.
Thankfully, this story has a happy ending. Despite being clueless as to what was required on the racecourse, Rufio does appear to have brushed up on his Highway Code. Having covered far more of the Musselburgh terrain than necessary, the suddenly well-behaved horse was caught by a member of the public having stopped at traffic lights.
None the Worse for His Misadventures
This was an unusual day at the office for Musselburgh clerk of the course Rory Inners, who stated:
It was an unfortunate incident. The jockey was unseated, and the horse did a full circuit and escaped through the exterior permanent railing. The ground staff and everybody went off after the horse, and he was caught by a member of the public. He stopped at some traffic lights. We sent the horse ambulance to bring him back, got him checked over, and he was absolutely fine, as was the jockey.
The horse’s trainer wasn’t at the track to witness the incident but confirmed the horse to be over his exertions when stating, “Rufio is all good this morning. It’s just one of those things. I wasn’t actually there, I was at Newcastle as we had a runner down there. There’ll be other days.” Indeed there will. What will Rufio have planned next time?