A two-year-old racehorse suffered a fatal injury after a head-on collision with an outrider moments after making a winning debut at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Canada, on Monday night.
Stringin Me On was running for the first time in a maiden special weight. Smartly away from the stalls, she made all the running under jockey Rachaad Knights, pulling away from her three rivals in the straight to win by five lengths. Only four of the five runners completed the five-and-a-half-furlong race after Onemoresteptoheaven hit the rail early in the contest and lost its rider.
Collision after the race
Worse was to come after Knights had completed the race and turned back to take Stringin Me On to the winners' circle. As they were jogging back, they were unable to avoid an outrider who had caught Onemoresteptoheaven and ran straight into Stringin Me On.
Both riders were sent flying into the air while the horses were knocked to the ground. At the same time, the stewards announced an inquiry into the race following multiple objections from jockeys into interference. Vets attended to the stricken horses but were not able to save Stringin Me On.
Racecourse statement
A statement from the racecourse said: “A very unfortunate situation occurred at ASD on Monday night when a loose horse was gathered by the outrider and his horse and then they collided with another horse after the race had concluded.
“We can advise that the initial loose horse and the horse belonging to the outrider were unharmed, however, the single horse returning after the race suffered injuries and did not survive.
“The outrider and jockey Rachaad Knights were both okay and uninjured and the jockey rode during Tuesday's live races.”
Disqualification
In another blow to the owners of Stringin Me On, Dark Cloud Racing, and her trainer Judy Hunter, the ill-fated filly was subsequently disqualified after stewards upheld a claim of foul for early interference from the jockey of Ringit, who had come in last.
