Broken bit – but what a great save!

The Luck of the Irish…or great horsemanship?

Popular Ballarat harness racing trainer-driver David Murphy is downplaying a bizarre racing incident at his home track last night (May 3) that could have had more serious ramifications.

Murphy was driving lightly raced square-gaiter Scar (Danny Bouchea) in the Del Re National Trot (race 11) when the horse’s bit broke after travelling about 100 metres.

Never funny when the bit breaks but try not to laugh pic.twitter.com/wqlti3STj4

— Chris Alford (@ChrisAlford5000) May 3, 2023

Murphy, who also trains the four-year-old, tumbled backwards from his sulky the gear malfunction happened, but had the skill and resolve to hang onto the reins as he was dragged along the track.

He eventually got the horse under control up the top of the track before a clerk of the course and another person gave a helping hand.

“I was being careful to try to keep him trotting after the start, then he went off stride into a gallop and I grabbed hold to get him to come back,” Murphy said.

“The bit broke and at that stage I was really at the point of no return. I went out the back onto the track but it was really never in my mind to let him go,” he said.

“I know him pretty well and it may have been different had he been a ratbag – I probably would have let him go!  But thankfully the horse sort of worked it out what was going on.”

Murphy, who has driven 1434 winners including three group ones ($8.6 million in stakes) called on all of his experience in the incident, which he said was a relatively unusual mishap.

“I had a snaffle bit on him and if they’re going to break, it’s normally in the middle. But this time the bit broke on the ring.”

Murphy said after being dragged along the track for about 100 metres, apart from a tear to his race colors (ironically carrying the Irish lucky green shamrock), he thought he’d come out of it okay.

“Ardrenline is amazing because I didn’t feel too bad last night. Today I’ve got a sore calf and hip, as well as my shoulders, which are pretty dodgy anyway,” he said.

“But I live to fight another day, I’ve been out jogging some this morning!”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink