A horse who tried to jump the rails on a race track, and hit a group of spectators during a race in France has been put down as a result of his injuries.
Fin March, ridden by Kenegan Deniel, had jumped the final fence during the Prix Sarah Gosse at Nantes racecourse on Tuesday (12 April) and was making ground on the leader when he veered to the right and appeared to try to jump the barrier.
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He flipped over, breaking the rail and colliding with a group of people. The jockey was thrown clear, suffering damage to his knee, for which he received treatment at Nantes University Hospital.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The horse did not survive, with French racing website Equidia reporting he had suffered a brain haemorrhage and was put down.
French racing’s ruling body France Galop said four of the group of five spectators were unhurt, while another was taken to hospital for treatment. It also stated that Deniel had escaped serious injury.
Jean Paul Argos, a racing reporter for Paris Turf, said: “Five spectators from one family were hit: three girls, a grandmother and her daughter.
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“The oldest, the most affected, was quickly supported by the medical service. She suffered head injuries.”
He added: “The other four people have been out of the hospital quickly enough. Jockey Kenegan Deniel has several bruises and is still under observation.”
The Prix Sarah Gosse was won by Dancing Roque, ridden by Theo Chevillard and trained by Francois Nicolle.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
