Two jockeys die after falls at racecourses in France and USA
Two jockeys have died after falling during races last weekend.
Promising young French jockey Guillaume Javoy died from injuries sustained during a race on Sunday (18 October).
The 24-year-old, who had 16 winners this season, picked the ride on racehorse Kahyasia at Le Pin-au-Haras racecourse.
Mr Javoy was thrown into a running rail after Kahyasia came to an emergency stop when a horse in front of him ran out at a hurdle. The jockey died later in hospital.
And American jockey Mark Pace died after a fall in Oklahoma on the same day.
Mr Pace, 58, from Devine in Texas, was thrown from his ride Reep What You Sow during the 5 ½ furlong maiden claiming race for fillies and mares on Sunday (18 October).
He was riding at Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, in the first race of the day when the 60-1 shot Reep What You Sow crashed into the running rail in the backstretch.
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According to Equibase Co, which keeps data on racing, Mr Pace had only ridden in two thoroughbred races this year, and records do not show him having ridden in another before this year.
The rest of the day’s racing was cancelled at the request of fellow jockeys when they learnt of Mr Pace’s death.
“I didn’t actually know the guy, but nonetheless, he was a jock who was a part of the colony and anytime anything happens to one of them, it strikes close to home and it gets you thinking,” jockey GR Carter told local US press. “This profession, it’s not a matter of if you get hurt, it’s when and how bad. We all know the chances are there.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.