Callum Rodriguez brushes off plane's emergency landing to win at Goodwood days later

A jockey who was in a plane which was forced to make an emergency landing on the way to Goodwood has ridden a winner at the meeting.

Callum Rodriguez was one of five riders who missed opportunities at Goodwood on Thursday when the aircraft encountered engine trouble.

Rowan Scott, PJ McDonald, Tom Eaves and Jack Garritty were the other jockeys who set off from Bagby Airfield in north Yorkshire.

Around half an hour into the flight, the pilot turned the plane around and returned to base. No-one was hurt in the incident.

Two days on, Rodriguez headed to Goodwood by car for his first opportunity since in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes - and made it count on Owen Burrows-saddled filly Waardah (7-2).

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Talking calmly, the jockey said the emergency landing was "nothing to get too worried about" as the pilot kept everything under control.

"There was a small fault with the aircraft straight away after we left the ground and the pilot decided to turn around and get us back to base," he told Mirror Racing.

"Unfortunately we didn't have time to jump in the car and get here for our rides. It was a very minor incident but just frustrating.

"It wasn't scary. We weren't long into the journey and it was one of things."

In the Group Two race on Saturday, Rodriguez settled his lightly-race mount in rear and she made progress to take the lead with two furlongs to run.

Danielle threw down a strong challenge on her seasonal debut and got to within three quarters of a length, with the front two clear of Goodie Two Shoes.

"“t was a messy start to the week, but we made sure that we were on four wheels today," he added. "I am very pleased to get that one off my back.

“Waardah is a rapidly improving filly and has a nice way of racing – she was relaxed last time, was strong through the line, and took a bit of pulling up. We were confident that she would get this trip and the ground was perfect.

“She switched off real good early and has actually taken me into the race a little bit too easily. She just idled a touch when she got there and needed the other horse to help her along. It was a very good performance."