Tragedy as TWO horses are put down following horror race crash where three riders were injured including an Australian jockey
- Australian jockey Zac Purton was caught up in a horror race-fall on Sunday
- Group One Hong Sprint two horses euthanised and three riders hospitalised
- Purton has been ruled out from racing for remainder of the international meet
- He is currently being treated for upper-body injuries at Prince of Wales hospital
- His horse Lucky Patch escaped the $4million race without any serious injuries
One of Australia’s leading jockeys has taken a serious tumble from his horse during a horror clash that led to two animals being euthanised and three riders hospitalised.
Zac Purton, 38, fell from Lucky Patch when the horse of South African rider Lyle Hewitson tripped and fell during an international meet at Hong Kong on Sunday.
The chaotic collision resulted in four riders being thrown from their saddles, leaving their horses limping and terrified.
Sadly, mounts Amazing Star and Naboo Attack were later euthanised as a result of their injuries from the crash.
Zac Purton, 38, riding mount Lucky Patch suffered the terrifying race-fall when the horse of South African rider Lyle Hewitson tripped and fell from underneath him
Trainer David Hayes paid tribute to Naboo Attack on Twitter, saying he had been a ‘gentle giant who was about to show the world his greatness’.
Purton’s horse Lucky Patch escaped the run held at the Sha Tin racecourse without serious injury.
Also involved in the fall was visiting Japanese jockey Yuichi Fukunaga and Mauritian-born rider Karis Teetan, with the latter escaping unscathed.
Purton, Hewitson and Fukunaga were taken to the Prince of Wales hospital following the harrowing ordeal and were reported to be in a stable condition on Sunday night.
Zac Purton, 38, has been hospitalised with upper-body injuries after he was involved in a horror crash during the Group One Hong Kong Sprint on Sunday
The Group One Hong Kong Sprint saw mounts Amazing Star and Naboo Attack euthanised as a result of their injuries in the crash
Over 17,000 spectators were privy to the distressing scenes (pictured) that have cast a long shadow on Hong Kong’s biggest race meeting
Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding said Purton had suffered upper-body injuries, Hewitson had fractured his hip and Fukunaga was being monitored for a potential fracture of his clavicle.
‘We’re very sad about the loss of the two horses, and we will be investigating if there is anything that can be learned – we do that always,’ Mr Harding said.
Over 17,000 spectators were privy to the distressing scenes that have cast a long shadow on the city-state’s biggest race meeting.
Out of respect for the fallen jockeys and their mounts the presentations for the remaining races were adjusted as to not include the national anthem.
The international meet was held under a ‘racing bubble’ that allowed riders from all corners of the world to compete without coming into contact with the public (pictured, Zac Purton)
Purton (pictured) has been ruled out from riding in the remainder of the meeting in Hong Kong after he won the first three races
The international meet was held under a ‘racing bubble’ that allowed riders from all corners of the world to compete without coming into contact with the public.
Australian jockey Blake Shinn riding the Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Field went on to claim the nearly $4million race, but said the win felt bittersweet.
‘I have mixed emotions for winning this race today. Obviously, the first emotion is that my feelings are with the fallen jockeys and horses out there,’ Shinn said.
‘It’s gut-wrenching for any rider to see a horse go down. It’s a real tragedy what’s happened today, especially on the world stage when everyone is watching.’
Purton has been ruled out from riding in the remainder of the meeting in Hong Kong after he won the first three races.
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