Horse killed, jockeys injured in Canada

[kookicat]

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/395/284855.html

H&H news team

19 June, 2009

A racehorse has been killed and two jockeys injured in an accident at a racecourse in Canada.
The accident occurred during the third race at Woodbine racetrack in Toronto on Wednesday night (17 June).

Racehorse Oliver’s Strike collapsed less than a kilometre away from the finish line. Vets now believe he suffered a fatal heart attack.

Jockey Chad Beckon was thrown during the fall and rolled on by the horse.

Kensington Oval, ridden by Simon Husbands, then tripped over Oliver’s Strike.

Both jockeys were taken to Etobicoke General Hospital.

Mr Husbands has now been released with a sprained wrist and injured shoulder, but Mr Beckon has been transferred to Sunnybrook Hospital and is under sedation after fracturing three vertebrae and breaking his nose and cheekbone.

Oliver’s Strike was put down by the racecourse vet after breaking two legs in the incident. Kensington Oval was unhurt.

Very sad. Jingling for the jockeys and the horse’s people.

(Sorry if this has already been posted- I checked but didn’t see it)

[Barnfairy]

It was a particularly horrific breakdown for Oliver’s Strike, who apparently suffered a heart attack midrace and, while collapsing, broke both front legs. His trainer is reported in the DRF as saying that the colt had already died before the track vet got to the scene.

Woodbine jockey Beckon in guarded condition:

Simon Husbands, aboard Kensington Oval, also fell to the track after being unable to avoid the fallen Oliver’s Strike.

Naval Strike, ridden by Patrick Husbands, was checked severely to avoid the fallen horse and was pulled up.

Husbands jumped off his mount to go to the aid of his brother.

No updates yet on Beckon’s condition.

[kookicat]

That’s awful.

[DeeThbd]

Jingles for Chad…he is a very well-liked rider here. Patrick and Simon are both good guys and experienced riders (one of them rode my “big horse”!); sure shows a lot that one would help the other in a spill.
Local report on it: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1620269
I was watching the races and tuned in for the following race…it always gives a terrible feeling to know that somebody went down.
Ride safe, everybody.
Dee

[Barnfairy]

Promising update in the DRF regarding Beckon’s condition:

Injured Woodbine jockey improving

“He’s improved 100 percent over the last 24 hours,” Esposito said Saturday afternoon. “He’s breathing on his own. He woke up on his own [Friday], which is very good. He’s alert and awake.”