Horse fatally injured, jockey hospitalized after horror fall at ascot
A horse suffered a fatal injury and a jockey was taken to the hospital after a horrific incident at Ascot on Friday. The accident occurred as the leaders began their challenges in the Sodexo Live! Handicap, over 7f, with one furlong to run.
Excellent Echo, ridden by champion jockey Oisin Murphy, fell and Nordic Norm, under Sam James, also hit the ground. Murphy was on his feet quickly, but Excellent Echo, who had suffered a broken leg, made his way up the track before being caught by his handler near the winning post.
Black screens were erected around the Dominic Ffrench Davis-trained three-year-old for privacy, and a horse ambulance arrived on scene while vets attended to him.
Meanwhile, James lay on the track for several minutes, with Murphy standing nearby, until an ambulance arrived. The jockey was then placed on a stretcher into the waiting vehicle and taken to the hospital.
A spokesperson for Ascot said: “Unfortunately, following an incident during the seventh race today, Excellent Echo suffered a fatal injury.
“His jockey, Oisin Murphy, walked in and was fine. Nordic Norm was taken to the stables for further assessment with cuts and scratches. His jockey, Sam James, was conscious and treated by medical teams on the track and has been transferred to the hospital for further assessment.”
Oisin Murphy: walked away unscathed from the incident
A stewards report said: “The Stewards wished to hold an inquiry into possible interference approaching the 1 furlong marker involving the winner, Forty Years On, ridden by Callum Shepherd; Nordic Norm, which was later brought down, ridden by Sam James; and Tactical Plan, unplaced, ridden by Jim Crowley, but were unable to do so as James was receiving medical attention. The inquiry was adjourned to a date to be confirmed.”
It continued: “The Stewards wished to hold an inquiry into the fall of Excellent Echo, approximately 1 furlong from the line after the gelding appeared to clip the heels of Dannick, placed second, but were unable to do so as Murphy was still undergoing medical assessment. The inquiry was adjourned to a date to be confirmed.
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