A horse racing enthusiast was injured when he was hit by a horse during the traditional races at the Saqqajja end of the Rabat-Siġġiewi Road yesterday at about 6.40 p.m.

The man was one of a few who disregarded safety and strayed in front of the barriers as the horses with sulkies raced past during the traditional Mnarja event.

A film shot by timesofmalta.com shows the man - who appeared to have been supporting of one of the horses in the race - on the race course some two metres outside the metal barrier.

He was looking at one of the horses when he was hit from behind by another horse with sulky.

The man was thrown to the ground and lost consciousness but moments later he moved and tried to get up. The extent of his injuries was not known but last night he was not believed to be in a critical condition.

The man was given first aid by a medical team on site until an ambulance rushed him to hospital.

An eyewitness said that spectators who stay on the track as the horses race by do so despite repeated warnings from the police and the race organisers to get behind the barriers for their own safety.