Man risks death by running on track towards galloping horses during race

A man risked death by running onto a racecourse as horses thundered past.

The spectator was seconds from disaster after he gained access to the Trentham track in New Zealand.

During the eighth race on Wellington Cup day, he ended up in the middle of the equine competitors, in an incident which shocked the racing world.

Jockeys were fortunately able to take evasive action, when they spotted him around 150 metres from the winning post.

The man raised his arms to the spectators watching, as seen in a clip on social media, which went viral in the aftermath.

No one was injured in the incident.

“He was lucky he didn’t get run over. Most of us didn’t see him until late,” jockey Danielle Johnson said.

While racing presenter Emily Bosson added: "This guy does not realise how much danger he is putting everyone in."

Police confirmed the man had been arrested and charged with endangering public safety.

He is due to appear in court on Monday.

It was the recent second incident of its type in the country, as a golfer walked in front of runners at the Great Northern Steeplechase last October.