Jockey Frank Hayes rode his first and last winner, Sweet Kiss, in a two-mile steeplechase at Belmont Park, New York City on June 4, 1923. However, as verified by Guinness World Records, Hayes has the distinction of being the only jockey to win a race after dying. Hayes, 35, reportedly wasted down to 9st 4lb to take the ride, losing 10lb in the previous 24 hours by exercising vigorously and reducing his fluid intake. Consequently, by the time he climbed aboard Sweet Kiss, he was tired, weak and dehydrated.

Nevertheless, Sweet Kiss tackled the favourite, Gimme, at the top of the home straight, led over the final fence and held on to win by a length and a half in a driving finish. However, the exertion and excitement was too much for Hayes; at some point after taking the lead, he suffered a fatal heart attack, such that he was dead when Sweet Kiss crossed the finishing line in first place. Shortly afterwards, Hayes swayed and crumpled in the saddle and pitched, face-first, into the turf. He was immediately attended by the racecourse doctor, who pronounced him dead at the scene. His death was attributed to heart disease, exacerbated by his weakened condition, and was instantaneous,

Jockey Frank Hayes rode his first and last winner, Sweet Kiss, in a two-mile steeplechase at Belmont Park, New York City on June 4, 1923. However, as verified by Guinness World Records, Hayes has the distinction of being the only jockey to win a race after dying. Hayes, 35, reportedly wasted down to 9st 4lb to take the ride, losing 10lb in the previous 24 hours by exercising vigorously and reducing his fluid intake. Consequently, by the time he climbed aboard Sweet Kiss, he was tired, weak and dehydrated.

Nevertheless, Sweet Kiss tackled the favourite, Gimme, at the top of the home straight, led over the final fence and held on to win by a length and a half in a driving finish. However, the exertion and excitement was too much for Hayes; at some point after taking the lead, he suffered a fatal heart attack, such that he was dead when Sweet Kiss crossed the finishing line in first place. Shortly afterwards, Hayes swayed and crumpled in the saddle and pitched, face-first, into the turf. He was immediately attended by the racecourse doctor, who pronounced him dead at the scene. His death was attributed to heart disease, exacerbated by his weakened condition, and was instantaneous,

Traditionally the opening race of Royal Ascot, the Queen Anne Stakes is probably best known as the race in which Frankel achieved a Timeform rating of 147, the highest ever awarded to a Flat horse, in 2012. However, the most remarkable renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes took place in 1974, at a time before it was upgraded to Group 2, never mind Group 1, status.

History records that the race was won by the Italian-trained Brook, ridden by Brian Taylor, with My Friend Paul, ridden by Willie Carson, and Coup De Feu, ridden by Tony Murray, in second and third places, respectively. However, the ‘winner’, Brook had actually finished fourth, beaten 6 lengths, with the placed horses even further behind.

In a tight, rough finish, first past the post was Confusion, ridden by Greville Starkey, who beat Gloss, ridden by Pat Eddery, by a head with Royal Prerogative, ridden by Australian Mick Goreham, a further three-quarters of a length behind in third place. The stewards viewed a replay of the race and judged that all three horses had caused interference, of one form or another, in the closing stages. All three were disqualified and placed last, much to the consternation of BBC commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan, and the race was awarded to Brook.

Dorset dairy farmer Anthony Knott gained notoriety, not to mention incurring the wrath of the stewards, when climbing aboard his horse, Hunt Ball, alongside winning jockey Nick Schofield and riding into the winners’ enclosure at Wincanton in January, 2012. By his own admission, Knott ‘lost track completely’ on that occasion and was subsequently fined £100 by the stewards for his antics.

Worse was to follow when, in November, 2014, was found guilty of passing inside information about another of his horses, Theroadtogorey, in a novices’ hurdle at Uttoxeter in July, 2012. Despite being sent off 9/2 second favourite, the 6-year-old was soon tailed off and Knott was subsequently ‘warned off’ for three years by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

As a amateur jockey, Knott rode just one winner, after 28 years of trying, and retired from the saddle immediately afterwards. Claiming a 5lb weight allowance, Knott rode his own horse, Wise Men Say, to victory in the Racing Post ‘Hands And Heels’ Jumps Series Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at his local course, Wincanton, in November, 2008. However, having taken a 2-length lead on the run-in, Knott instinctively, and prematurely, stopped riding in the closing stages and stood up in the irons to wave to the crowd. Thankfully, he regained his senses quickly enough for his mount to hold on and win, gamely, by 1 ¾ lengths.