Several jockeys were lucky to escape injury following a spectacular five horse pile up at Wanganui racecourse in New Zealand on Thursday.

All five horses escaped injury in the incident which happened right in front of the main grandstand the first time around in the 2060m Golle Roofing Maiden.

But a more serious incident was prevented with connections of the fallen runners steering the loose horses away from the remaining field as they approached the home straight for the final run home.

Jockey Rory Hutchings on By Golly, David Walker on Beau Zed and Corey Perrett on And Thatz Scotty all escaped injury, while sisters Rosie and Kellie Myers were not so fortunate.

Assistant race day judge Iain Hyndman reported that Kellie Myers (Beebee Star) was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured cheekbone while Rosie (Go Beauty), was stood down from her rides for the remainder of the day.

“It happened in front of the grandstand on the first round, right in front of the winning post. It was an ugly, ugly incident,” Hyndman said.

The trouble started when And Thatz Scotty clipped the heels of a runner in front of him, causing him to fall and dislodging rider Corey Perrett which in turn disrupted the field causing the mass pile up.

The Wanganui track was rated a heavy 10 at the time in overcast and drizzly conditions but the remainder of the nine race program was completed.

Zezeedudadeeko, ridden by Thomas Russell, went on to win , out plugging David Walsh’s mount Mack in the trying conditions.