A horse has died and a champion jockey taken to hospital after a nightmare fall at Ascot.
Excellent Echo, ridden by Oisin Murphy, fell on Friday. The horse suffered a broken leg and carried own down the track before being caught by his handler at the winning post.
Vets rushed to attend to the horse, with black screens put around the three-year-old, who was trained by Dominic Ffrench Davis. A horse ambulance was on the scene quickly.
Murphy, meanwhile, was on his feet quickly. Nordic Norm also hit the ground, though, ridden by Sam James, and James remained grounded for a few minutes. He was eventually stretchered into a vehicle and taken to 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 hospital for further assessment.’
Excellent Echo, ridden by Oisin Murphy (pictured), fell and died at Ascot on Friday
The event also saw Sam James (not pictured) hospitalised following the incident, which stewards are keen to look in to
A stewards report, meanwhile, said: ‘The Stewards wished to hold an enquiry into possible interference approaching the 1 furlong marker involving the winner, Forty Years On, ridden by Callum Shepherd; Nordic Norm, which later was 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 enquiry was adjourned to a date to be confirmed.
‘The Stewards wished to hold an enquiry 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 enquiry was adjourned to a date to be confirmed.’
