Jockeys Injured, Two Horses Dead After Sha Tin Crash

Four jockeys were injured and two horses had to be euthanised on Sunday after a major fall at the Hong Kong International Races at the Sha Tin Racecourse, one of the biggest racing events in the SAR's calendar.

They were competing in the 1,200-metre Hong Kong Sprint.

Amazing Star and rider Lyle Hewitson tumbled on the turn, with Lucky Patch and jockey Zac Purton falling behind them. Pixie Knight and Naboo Attack, and their riders Yuichi Fukunaga and Karis Teetan, were also caught up in the collision.

Amazing Star and Naboo Attack had to be humanely euthanised as a result of their injuries while Pixie Knight and Lucky Patch were expected to recover.

The Jockey Club's executive director, Andrew Harding, confirmed that three of the jockeys required treatment in hospital.

"Zac and Lyle are in ICU, but they're conscious. Their vitals are all stable. Zac has some upper body injuries but the extent of those does not appear to be extreme at this point.

"Lyle, it seems, has a fracture of his hip, potentially, and they're monitoring to see whether there are any other injuries that he's sustained. And, as far as Fukunaga is concerned he continues to be monitored for a potential fracture.

"We're very sad about the loss of the two horses as a consequence of that accident, that terrible accident in Race Five."

Fukanaga, who is from Japan, is one of a number of overseas jockeys allowed to compete as part of a "racing bubble" arrangement to allow the international meeting to go ahead. The Jockey Club said the bubble arrangements were continuing while he is treated in hospital.

In a post on the Twitter account of his Lindsay Park Racing partnership, Naboo Attack's trainer David Hayes said: "Today is one of my saddest days in racing. My favourite horse, my biggest horse, and my best horse has sadly passed away. A gentle giant who was about to show the world his greatness."

The remaining eight horses finished the event, with Sky Field and jockey Blake Shinn winning the race.

In a statement, the Jockey Club said Hewitson, Purton and Fukunaga were conscious when they were taken to hospital for treatment. Teeten did not need hospital treatment.

The club added the award presentations for the rest of the race day will be simplified and national anthems will not be played.

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