Before the Kentucky Derby, a dramatic incident involving Great White caused significant delays and ultimately led to his scratching from the race. Just minutes before the start, Great White threw his jockey, Alex Achard, while waiting to enter the starting gate.
Trainer John Ennis confirmed that Great White is doing well after this unsettling event. He noted, “He’s perfect. Very fresh. (The incident) took nothing out of him.” This reassurance comes after a tense moment when the horse flipped and fell backwards, nearly landing on Achard.
That context matters because Great White only entered the Derby field after another horse, Silent Tactic, was ruled out due to a foot injury. The anticipation had built around his participation, especially given that he weighed roughly 1,370 pounds and had been considered a strong contender.
The incident also delayed the race, which went off without further complications once Great White was led away from the gate. Golden Tempo eventually won the Kentucky Derby with odds of 30-1, but observers were left wondering how different things could have been.
Jockey Alex Achard walked away from the incident under his own power, which many found fortunate given how quickly events unfolded. Jose Ortiz, another jockey present at the scene, expressed relief that he wasn’t yet in the gate when it happened, saying he felt it was best not to risk getting involved.
This incident highlights just how unpredictable horse racing can be—one moment you’re preparing for a historic event like the Triple Crown, and the next, chaos ensues at the starting gate.