Brisbane racehorse Rebel Rover has lived up to his name, after swimming deep into Moreton Bay and sparking a dangerous two-hour rescue mission.
The five-year-old horse spooked during his first beach training session and swam away from the Bramble Bay site, jockey Jackson Morris said.
Revel Rober then zig-zagged an estimated 11 kilometres back and forth through waters off Sandgate. Rescuers including water police pursued him, and eventually managed to drag him into a boat and bring him back to shore. However, Rebel Rover then headbutted one of his rescuers with so much force that the man had to be taken to hospital.
The five-year-old horse spooked during his first beach training session and swam away from the Bramble Bay site, jockey Jackson Morris said.
Revel Rober then zig-zagged an estimated 11 kilometres back and forth through waters off Sandgate. Rescuers including water police pursued him, and eventually managed to drag him into a boat and bring him back to shore. However, Rebel Rover then headbutted one of his rescuers with so much force that the man had to be taken to hospital.
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Trainer Brad Smith said a vet had checked the horse, and was surprised at his relatively healthy condition after the mammoth swim.
"Any other horse, 20 minutes would probably see them out (of the water), but this horse, he must have pretty amazing lung capacity," he said.
Rebel Rover is now resting in his stable ahead of his planned return to the track in a few weeks.
"Any other horse, 20 minutes would probably see them out (of the water), but this horse, he must have pretty amazing lung capacity," he said.
Rebel Rover is now resting in his stable ahead of his planned return to the track in a few weeks.