TOP international jockey KIEREN FALLON was punched while unsaddling Elna Bright after the second race at Lingfield on Saturday by an owner of two horses who had run in the same race.

David Reynolds, joint owner of 3-1 favorite The Scorching Wind and third-placed Seek The Fair Land, was later escorted off the track by security guards, who were quickly on the spot after the incident in the unsaddling area behind the weighing room.

The Racing Post reports that stewards launched an inquiry and took statements from Brett Johnson and Peter Crate, the trainer and owner of Elna Bright, who were involved in the incident.

Also involved in the inquiry were The Scorching Wind's trainer Stuart Williams and a member of security staff.

The stewards referred the incident to BHA headquarters.

It is understood that Reynolds blamed Fallon for causing interference to The Scorching Wind, who finished ninth of ten. However, the stewards exonerated the former champion jockey of all blame, Fallon having eased up on his mount, who had been struck into, when The Scorching Wind was behind him. The racecourse vet later confirmed Elna Bright had been injured.

Fallon, who went on to ride Fiery Lad to finish 12th of 13 in the Winter Derby, said: "He came up behind me when I was unsaddling but I'm all right - he hits like a girl! I don't know what it was about."

Crate, sporting a red mark on his cheekbone, said later: "It was unbelievable - something you don't expect on a big raceday.

"I was standing looking at my horse's injured leg and he [Reynolds] came in like a whirlwind and landed a punch from behind on Kieren, smashing him in the face. He caught me a glancing blow as he swung and both me and Brett [Johnson] got in between him and Kieren."