Another One Gone for the worst of reasons. Condolences to all concerned.

[Doomed]

Bloody hell! Who didn't think that was on the cards when they saw a good 3 and rain about?

[SLB2.0]

Well there was a jockey death... so maybe let this sit for a bit.

Edited December 15, 2022 by SLB2.0

[Bid]

Nothing to do with the track. 

[Doomed]

Sorry about that. Just saw the results and wondered why no comments.

[curious]

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/12/horse-racing-rider-reportedly-dies-two-others-injured-as-ashburton-race-meeting-abandoned.html

[nomates]

I have just seen that young apprentice Megan Taylor has died as a result of the fall in R2 at Ashburton today . I'm sure everyone's condolence's go out to her family .

Another tragic loss of life on a race course , very sad .

[curious]

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/12/horse-racing-rider-reportedly-dies-two-others-injured-as-ashburton-race-meeting-abandoned.html

[Joe Bloggs]

I cant believe this guys, tell me please it's not happening, it's not the time to be political I admit, but the GOV has to step in here and close fucking racing down there!....there is something wrong guys, it has to fucking stop NOW! First Taiki and now this lass, FFS.......pull up stumps and start again........before another young person dies.

[curious]

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2022/12/horse-racing-rider-reportedly-dies-two-others-injured-as-ashburton-race-meeting-abandoned.html

[Newmarket]

Very sad this girl lost her life, tragic for all her family and connections. 
Would be surprised if track conditions had any part to play in it, looking at the race it looked like rider interference caused the fall. 
 

Seems I have mentioned the average riding skills of many Sth Island jockeys for months now, sadly this is the outcome. Some trainers and those that issue riders licences, surely must take a long hard look of themselves.

[Freda]

Very, very sad.

A gorgeous young woman, a hard worker with a bubbly personality and the loveliest smile that lit up the track every morning.  It's unbelievable that light has gone out.

Condolences to family, friends, and in fact to all who knew her.

No problem with the track, however, it was in perfect condition [ a rarity at the moment, but there it is ]  -  rider error, pure and simple... not hers, I hasten to add.

However, along with Sam Weatherley, the young rider concerned will have to deal with this for the rest of her life.  And she was not in a good place today.

[Kihikihi Kid]

6 hours ago, Freda said:

Very, very sad.

A gorgeous young woman, a hard worker with a bubbly personality and the loveliest smile that lit up the track every morning.  It's unbelievable that light has gone out.

Condolences to family, friends, and in fact to all who knew her.

No problem with the track, however, it was in perfect condition [ a rarity at the moment, but there it is ]  -  rider error, pure and simple... not hers, I hasten to add.

However, along with Sam Weatherley, the young rider concerned will have to deal with this for the rest of her life.  And she was not in a good place today.

Freda,

This is devastating .

I so feel for Denby-Rose but there was so much going on in that race, her horse was so green throughout the running, the leader rolling in and off the fence , and the challenger in the Court colours definitely contributing, so I'm prepared to cut her a mountain of slack. 

[Freda]

I didn't actually see it, I was out the back and, for once, I was in too much of a rush to set to record before I left.  But the consensus is fairly clear.

What was very tough to bear was the outpouring of emotion and distress from jockeys, stable staff, float drivers,and trainers alike. 

The South has it critics but you would never get a tighter or more loyal bunch.

[Joe Bloggs]

My thoughts, for what they're worth are for Megans family now, I'm sure the close knit SI racing fraternity will rally for them, and NZ Racing will make an extra gratia payment to cover every expense for Megans funeral etc.

I really feel for you Pam, you and the other Riccarton trainers, it must have been a very sombre morning there this morning. 

Hope all the other riders are OK........and someone is looking after the young ladies welfare, that is paramount.

[Freda]

Thanks, J B, no, it wasn't very good at all this morning.

When I left the ladies' jockeys room yesterday,  poor little Denby was sobbing her heart out in Tina's arms.

That's what they're like.

[curious]

And NZTR in their usual sympathetic and transparent fashion still have provided no update that I can see on the well-being of the other injured riders.

[Freda]

Diego battered and bruised, and concussion.   Tina soft tissue injuries, ankle in particular.  Sam,  broken collarbone, ribs, and pelvis.

And the rest line up next Wednesday, same place, and do it all over again.

Edited December 15, 2022 by Freda

[Ronaldo]

And sadly the moronic anti racing brigade are exploiting tragedy for their own ends.  Reading Twitter yesterday these low lifes saying  accident  was obviously  caused by horse being doped with embalming fluid and racing should be banned.   These hopeless bastards   wouldn't know one end of a horse from another but would push their warped agenda anyway they can. 

[Honestjohn]

Condolences to her family,  from mine.  Very sad time for her family at Xmas. 

 

Hj

[Freda]

Megan's funeral was held on Thursday.     Huge turnout, and very difficult for all.   

The proceedings were sympathetically overseen by Salvation Army chaplain to NZTR, Andrew McKerrow.

It brings home, again, what a close-knit group the wider racing community is, especially here in the South.  And also, how damned lucky we are to have a man like Andrew McKerrow to turn to in any situation, with his kindness, compassion - and faith.