A Shropshire Star photographer has told how his quick thinking helped save a horse and jockey from injury.

David Bailey was out on an assignment at Bangor-on-Dee Races when champion jockey Tony McCoy and his horse, Isard III, fell heavily at the last fence.

The fall left the jockey hanging upside down with his foot caught in the stirrup, and David quickly overcame his fear of horses to grab the reins.

He told Star readers: “McCoy had a very nasty fall and the horse rolled on top of him.

“When the horse got up, McCoy’s right foot was still in the stirrup and he was hanging upside down.

“He was shouting out for someone to catch the horse before it ran off and dragged him along.”

David leapt into action over the perimeter fence and on to the course, dodging horses still coming over the jump.

He said: “I suddenly remembered I was afraid of horses when I saw Isard III snorting away but I grabbed the reins and stopped the animal running away until the fence-keeper came over to help me.

“McCoy freed his foot from the stirrup and patted me on the back to say thank you.”

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