Horse dies and jockey hospitalised after fall at Ascot; stewards postpone enquiry
Three-year-old Excellent Echo suffers fatal injury in the seventh race at Ascot; jockey Sam James taken to hospital for assessment, Ascot says stewards have delayed their inquiry.
A three-year-old racehorse, Excellent Echo, suffered a fatal injury after a fall in the seventh race at Ascot on Friday, and a jockey was taken to hospital, the racecourse said.
The incident occurred during the evening card on Sept. 5. Excellent Echo, ridden by Oisin Murphy, fell and sustained a broken leg and was later contained by a handler near the winning post. Veterinary staff attended the scene, black screens were erected around the horse and a horse ambulance was on site. Ascot said the animal subsequently suffered a fatal injury.
Murphy walked off the track and was reported to be uninjured. Another runner, Nordic Norm, also fell in the same race. Its jockey, Sam James, remained on the ground for several minutes before being stabilised by on-course medical teams, placed on a stretcher and transferred to a hospital for further assessment. Ascot said Nordic Norm was taken to the stables for assessment and had cuts and scratches.
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 hospital for further assessment." Excellent Echo was trained by Dominic Ffrench Davis.
Stewards at Ascot postponed their inquiry into the incident, the racecourse said. Racecourse stewards customarily review incidents involving falls and injuries to assess race conduct and welfare matters; Ascot did not give a date for when the postponed enquiry would take place.
On-course veterinary and medical teams responded immediately, following standard protocols for rider and equine welfare. Further updates on the condition of Sam James and any findings from the stewards' review were not immediately available.
Ascot hosts a full programme of veterinary and medical support at race meetings, and incidents that result in equine or jockey injury are subject to routine examination and review by racecourse officials and regulatory authorities. This incident is under review, and the racecard proceeded after the scene was cleared and safety checks were completed.