SERIOUS RACING SMASH

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 28 March 1935, Page 7

SERIOUS RACING SMASH

THREE HORSES KILLED EIGHT JOCKEYS INJURED FALL AT SYDNEY MEETING. (United Press Aseeolation —By Electric TelegrapV Copyright.) SYDNEY, March 27. In the most serious racing smash for many years three horses were killed and eight jockeys were injured at the Ascot course this afternoon. The injured included the leading jockeys , A. Knox, J. O’Sullivan, D. Lightfoot and S. Murphy. The horses killed were Labour Girl, Tho Alotorist and Juanita.

The accident occurred during the running of the second division of the Flying Handicap, in which only four of fourteen starters finished. Opinions are divided regarding the cause of the accident. Some declare The Motorist got on .the heels of Bim Boy, and others that The Motorist appeared to break a leg:. Tall and bring down the others. Labour Girl and Juanita broke their necks and did not move. Several other horses lashed out, screamed and struggled violently to regain their feet. Injured jockeys were lying in all directions, either groaning or attempting to crawl to safety, but a large crowd gathered and dragged the boys away from the flying heels. Ambulances were soon on the scene and conveyed five riders to the hospital and three to the course casualty room.

The injuries were diagnosed as follows:—

A. Knox: Fractured collarbone and neck injuries; condition serious. L. AlcElhinney: Unconscious; neck injury, slight concussion. L. McHugh: Head and internal injuries, concussion, fractured wrist; condition serious.

y. Muvpliy: Fractured arm and hand, injuries to back; condition serious.

A. Heatheotc: Compound fracture of the left arm, injuries to back; condition serious.

Those examined in the casualty room were: D. Lightfoot, head injuries and shock; J. Mortimer, abrasions and shock; J. O’Sullivan, concussion and shock.

Two other jockeys, A. Mulligan and R. Carter, were severely shaken. Mr J. Underhill, secretary of the Associated Racing Clubs, accompanied by police officers, immediately inspected the spot where the accident occurred; but was unable to discover any defect in the going.

The racing, was disorganised for more than 20 minutes, nobody taking the slightest interest in the next race, on which all betting was suspended until the horses were ready to enter the track.

Stories told by some of the injured emphasise the miraculous escapes from death of their colleagues, who after heavy falls lay helpless amid struggling horses and flying hoof's.

The consensus of opinion is that The Motorist crossed his fore legs or broke a leg while the horses were bunched as they manoeuvred into position approaching the home turn. The stewards opened an inquiry which was adjourned till the jockeys are convalescent.

Knox was most unfortunate. Tic had important mounts at the autumn meeting: at Randwick, including Dromos in the Doncaster and Journal in the Sydney Cup. MeCarten will now have the mount on Journal.