JOCKEY KILLED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 10

JOCKEY KILLED.

FATALITY AT ELLERSLIE. MOUNT COMES TO GRIEF. RIDER THROWN HEAVILY. DEATH OF H. E. STOCKL.EY. An accident in (ho first race, tlio Fergussori Handicap at Ellerslie yesterday resulted in the death on the way to the Auckland Hospital of the successful lightweight horseman, 11. E. Stockley, who had proved himself one of the best apprentice riders iti New Zealand. Stockley was riding Exaggeration, an outsider, tenth favourite in a field of 13. The accident occurred soon after the field had passed the six-furlongs post, when the leading horses were racing in dose company. The leading division at the time comprised Nea Lap, Beacon Fire, L' Allegro, Exaggeration, Jalldy Karo and Juniper, and Exaggeration was running up fast on the outside of a couple of horses. Exaggeration went down suddenly and Stockley was thrown heavily. It appeared as if he was struck after falling by a couple of the horses just, behind and after tho field had passed he lay prostrate on tho ground. After receiving medical attention he was hurried to tho hospital by ambulance* but before he could be admitted he had died from head and other injuries. An inquiry into the accident was opened by the. stewards and was adjourned until Friday morning. Stockley, who was 17 years old, was tho son of a farmer near Stratford. At an early age he showed a great love for 'horses, but this was not allowed to interfere with his education. lie was an apt pupil at school and passed tho sixth standard with a proficiency certificate. Three years ago he entered tho employ of the Hawera trainer, J. Fryer, as an apprentice and quickly showed promise of becoming a skilled horseman. Gaining his licence last season Stockley soon met with very fair success and this season his ability became increasingly recognised. He rode a number of winneis at Auckland meetings, including Little Doubt in the Avondale Cup. Stockley rode at Ellerslie on Saturday, running fourth on Peter Jackson in the Auckland Cup, and on Sunday motored to New Plymouth with Mr. Fryer. He steered Gold Dawn to victory in the Jast race at the Taranaki Jockey Club's meeting on Monday, and then returned to Auckland by motor, arriving about 5.50 yesterday morning. Mr. Fryer said lie could hardly believe that such a young and promising life had been cut short. "Stockley was one of the best-beliaved boys I have, ever had," he sajd. "Ho was very intelligent, and could talk on any subject. As to his ability as a jockey his record, brief though it is, speaks for itself. I here is no doubt that he would have gone fai in-- his chosen calling." SUPREMACY'S RIDER THROWN. H. STOKES RECEIVES CONCUSSION. As the result of the racehorse Supremacy breaking his off foreleg and falling on the tracks at Ellerslie early yesterday morning, his rider, H. Stokes, received concussion of the brain and was admitted to the Auckland Hospital. It was reported last evening that his condition was not serious and had improved. Supremacy was destroyed.