Ulster jockey Ray Cochrane is to receive one of Britain`s highest bravery awards for risking his life to save colleague Frankie Dettori in a plane crash at Newmarket Racecourse in June and attempting to save the pilot.
Cochrane suffered burns to his face and hands and internal injuries. Last he week announced his retirement at the age of 43 after suffering two falls while race-riding recently.
Christopher Tyler, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, said on Wednesday of Cochrane`s plane crash heroism: 'This was an incredibly brave act on the part of Mr Cochrane, who was already injured himself.
'He knew the plane was on fire and that it could blow up at any time killing him and the others. But he didn`t hesitate to put his own life on the line and to go in to try and rescue Mr Dettori and the pilot.'
Dettori escaped with cuts, a broken ankle and concussion but pilot Patrick Mackey, 51, died.
Last week Cochrane said he was ending his 26-year career after being warned that another bad fall could leave him in a wheelchair.
The Co Down man, who won the 1988 Derby on the Aga Khan`s Kahyasi, has ridden winners in many major races in Europe.
