Two deer were spotted crossing the course directly in front of the field during a race on the all-weather at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Newcastle racecourse has played host to countless stag dos over the years - but never quite like this.
Jockeys were caught on the hop at the Gosforth Park venue when two deer crossed the track during the first race of the evening meeting on Wednesday.
Luv U Whatever had built up a commanding lead under Barry McHugh, but the rider had not counted upon the two dynamic invaders, who gamely galloped across the all-weather circuit and into adjacent woodland.
The mile-and-a-half handicap was won by Desert Ruler, with Luv U Whatever second.
Runners in the final race at Cheltenham last month were also joined by an unexpected participant after a dog escaped on to the track.
The dog joined the field on the run down to the penultimate flight of a three-mile handicap hurdle, which was won by Arthur's Gift.
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