Blindfolded horse wins race after ‘going off to catch a bus’ in amazing Sandown contest

By Owen Goulding

18th September 2023, 11:38 am

Updated: 18th September 2023, 11:39 am

A HORSE that ran blind at the start of a race sensationally came home in front for his first win in over a year.

Jockey Danny Tudhope struggled to get the blindfold off the quirky Azano in the 7f handicap at Sandown.

Azano (stall six) with his blindfold still on as the race gets underway

The pair had enough in hand to cling on and score

The seven-year-old effectively ran blind for the first few seconds of the race but it didn’t stop him from going off like a scolded cat.

Commentator Mark Johnston remarked that he was “going off to catch a bus” as the pair streaked around six lengths clear.

The pair maintained that lead as they reached the two-furlong pole but the pack began to close steadily.

Azano had plenty in the tank, however, and hung on grimly to score by a neck.

It was his first win for 14 months and jockey Tudhope was counting his lucky stars.

Tudhope told : “He’s stressy and likes to get on with things, everything is 100 miles an hour whether it’s walking around or cantering to the start.

“I couldn’t get the blind off him but he jumped anyway because he’s very tough and honest.

“He’s very hard to peg back when he gets his own way and today’s ground really helped him.”

The incident wasn’t missed by punters, who were equally stunned and amused by the performance.

One said: “Even after being blindfolded for the first furlong Azano still wins.”

Another added: “Azano has gone off to catch a bus” said the commentator – blinded 10 yards of the race and whoooosh.”

Commentators often say “they didn’t see which way they turned” when a horse makes all.

Azano’s rivals certainly didn’t, but neither did he…

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