4 days ago
See the moment a kangaroo comes within INCHES of causing a disastrous fall at horse race
A kangaroo came within inches of disaster after it bounded into the middle of the race track during Monday's meeting at Warren, New South Wales.
Not many had anticipated the day to begin in such dramatic fashion, with 11 horses lining up to participate in the opening race of the meeting - the 2400m Warren Stayers Benchmark 58.
But approximately 1400m into the race, some eagle-eyed patrons spotted the marsupial hopping its way through the middle of the race course and appeared to be making a beeline out of the grounds, just as the riders and their mounts were turning to come up the straight.
Shannen Llewellyn, aboard Joshua, and Jake Pracey-Holmes, riding Will To Excel, may have had a fright as they battled their way around the bend before heading up the course alongside the fence.
That was when the small roo ducked under the white railings a mere 10 yards in front of them.
The kangaroo bounced its way into the middle of the field, missing both Joshua and Will To Excel.
This is Australia - well Warren - western New South Wales Monday - 6 hrs Sydney, 1 hr Dubbo.
Skippy the kangaroo is fine - stewards (head on attached) with no reports of interference!
— Global Racing Society (@GlobalRacingSoc) June 2, 2025
However it wasn't out of danger just yet, as the small roo came very close to making contact with Mikayla Weir and Wolf Club, charging up on the outside line.
Luckily, the animal hopped its way clear of danger and bounded off the race track, with the jockeys and their horses all remaining calm in the scary moment.
James Ponsonby-trained Will To Excel would go on to claim victory in the race, while Joshua, who is trained by Connie Greig, and Instead placed second and third respectively.
It is not the first time a kangaroo has entered a race track in Australia.
Back in May 2017, punters were left baffled after a roo took the lead during a race meeting at Cessnock, New South Wales.
The roo was seen hopping alongside the riders, before turning on the afterburners to momentarily take the lead.
The roo then bounded its way off the track to safety following the bizarre moment - with riders and their jockeys going on to continue the race safely.
Kangaroos are indigenous to Australia and some species of the marsuipal are able to clear 8m with one jump.
WATCH: Kangaroo bounds onto track at Warren 👇
It was a sedate start to the day at Warren on Monday in a Benchmark 58 for the country stayers … until a rogue kangaroo entered the fray. 👇
— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 2, 2025
And over the years, several other Aussie sporting events have had to be momentarily postponed or paused because kangaroos have invaded the playing area.
Back in 2018, a large kangaroo caused the postponement of a football match in Canberra after it had invaded the pitch.
Capital Football Club and Belconnen United's women's teams were forced to stop play after the large marsupial hopped onto the field and laid down in front of the goal.
Rather hilariously, as they waited for the roo to leave the playing area, one fan passed the Kangaroo a football, with the marsupial attempting to grab the ball and stop it from going into the net.
