JACK O'CONNELL'S DEATH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12346, 16 October 1909, Page 2

JACK O'CONNELL'S DEATH.

(Per Preoe. Association.)

NAPIER, October 15. At the inquast on. John O'Connell, the evidence of other jockeys, and eyeAvitnesses of the accident, went to show that deceased got tangled up in Forest's legs when he came down at the hurdta. There' wa.s no suggestion of interference. A A'erdictoortr death from fracture of the skull, Avith no blame attachable to anyone, Avas returned.

The neAvs to hand stating that the Avell-known hurdle and steeplechase rider, "Jack" O'Gonneh, says "Augur" in the N.Z. Times, has succumbed in the Napier hospital to injuries received AArhiie riding Corazon at Napier Park on Wednesday Avill be received Avith widespread feeling of regret. In the front rank of. the branch of his profession to Avhich the deceased horseman particularly devoted his attention, O'Connell Avas extremely popular both on and off tho scene of action. He Avas ahvays recognised as quite one of the best riders over obstacles, and his services Avere ahvays much sought after by owners and folloAved by the public.

Tho accident Avas apparently througn no fault of Captain Russell's horse Corazon, aa-lio Avas brought down through getting tangled up m Forest's legs when the latter came to grief just in front of Corazon. O'Connell, according to the "Hawke's Bay Herald," Avas either kicked on the head by another horse or came into contact Avith the rails, receiving a nasty scalp Avound, and Avhen picked up Avas suffering from concussion of the brain.

Among prominent jumping events in which the deceased figured successfully, the following may be mentioned: —In 1907 he rode Nadador to victory in the Wanganui Steeplechase, and a week or tAvo later he scored his first Avin in a Great Northern Hurdles on Mr A. F. Douglas's MerriAvai. Last season the deceased Avas associated Avith two of the same oAvner's successes Avith Waipu, who annexed both the Wanganui Century and Great Northern Hurdles.

O'Connell was not often seen up on the flat, but that he could hold his own in that department he shoAAed last season by his handling of Moral in both the principal events at the Woodville and Dannevirke summer meetings. In both races the big son of Sir Possible, carrying 9.2 and 9.'9, AA-as landed a AA'inner with excellent judgment, and only suffered defeat by a neck oh the second day at Dannevirke under the heavy impost of 10.3. Immediately after the last Avinter fixture at Ellerslie the deceased accompanied Mr Douglas and his trainer, J. Cameron, to Melbourne Avith Waipu and Kiatere with the object of seeking Grand National Hurdle and Steeplechase honours at Flemington, but. the mission proved an unsuccessful one, and O'Connell returned to NeAV Zealand and took part in the first meeting of the season on this coast at Marton, AA-here he won the Hunters' Hurdles on Tyrannis, having Avon the Hunt Club Cup the season previous on the same course on Janella.

In April last, at the autumn meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, an elder brother, W. O'Connell, met Avith an almost exactly similar fate. When riding Mr D. Rutherford's Stronghold in a small field of four, that horse and Snip came down at the last fence, and the former's rider (W. O'Connell) received injuries from Avhich hr> never regained consciousness, succumbing in the Christchurch Hospital.

Two other brothers, "Jerry" and "Joe" O'Connell are well-known horsemen, and to them and their sister, Mrs D. Lourie, of Feilding, great sympathy will he extended.

The jockeys riding at Napier Park and Levin yesterday wore black armbands out of respect for their deceased comrade.

The remains will probably be taken to Feilding for interment in the same plot in Avlvich those of his brother were laid only six months ago.