DEATH OF JOCKEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22412, 7 May 1936, Page 12

DEATH OF JOCKEY

THE LATE ROY REED RESULT OF PURE ACCIDENT [BV TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Wednesday A verdict that death was due to a fracture of tho skull incurred in a fall from a horse during a race at Trentham on March 17, was given by the coroner, Mr. E. Gilbertson, at the conclusion of the inquest to-day into the death of the well-known jockey, Roy Reed. "The occurrence was purely accidental," said Mr. Gilbertson. "Peed, who was an experienced rider, had tho alternative of holding his position or of pulling on the outside of a horse in front. Ho took a chanco with tho result that tho horso he was riding hit something and stumbled, throwing the rider."

The jockey B. H. Morris, rider of Big Dook, described the race, which, he said, was a particularly clean one. Ho was certain his mount never interfered with Hunting Cat, ridden by Reed, or any other horse, and was of the opinion the accident was caused through Hunting Cat getting up too close to Big Dook's heels, although he never felt any bump. Had deceased not called out his name, thus causing him to look round, said witness, he possibly would not have known anything about tho accident until the race finished. To the coroner witness said Reed could have pulled outside to pass him, but had he done so another horse might have slipped into the position leaving him on the outside of two horses.

What would you have dono in Reed's position?—l think 1 would have hung on.

Evidence was also given by J. Leach, the rider of Korero.