Race abandoned as jockeys hit by hailstones 'as big as golf balls' in wild scenes

Bad weather led to the cancellation of a race when jump jockeys were hit with hailstones 'as big as balls.' The chaotic scenes were shown on Racing during the 3.07pm contest at Auteuil, the centre of jump racing in France.

Wind swept in a storm which brought small balls of ice as horses and riders were crossing obstacles in the A. Veil-picard Hurdle. The runners were well spaced out when a warning siren indicated for jockeys including British-born James Reveley to pull up.

Realising how bad the conditions were, the majority did not hesitate and ducked for cover as hailstones rained down on them. Dozens of leaves could be seen blowing across track on the TV pictures, as presenter Alex Hammond commented on the unusual event.

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She said: "This is wild. The hailstones are absolutely enormous, that will be really painful. They look the size of golf balls."

Pundit Laurent Barbarin gasped at what he was seeing, as the hail was heard loudly during the broadcast to indicate the power of the storm.

"I have never seen anything like it," he commented. ""They are trying to hide under trees, it is so dangerous."

Weather forecasters issued a thunderstorm warning for France and other clips on social media showed water running down the streets of Paris.

Hailstorms could also be seen on the ground, as shoppers and tourists sheltered in shops and cafes.

Earlier on the weather had been a mixture of sunshine and cloud before the skies suddenly darkened.

The abandoned Auteuil race was the final one of eight, on a card which began at 10.53am with 14-1 chance Prince Of Paris defeating favourite Lord Brett in the La Veine Chase.

Favourite backers had some luck later on via similarly-named thoroughbreds Miss Wood (9-4) and Woods (15-8).

Meanwhile in Britain, where the weather was calm and 18C, behind Ruling Court (9-2) in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas.