A tragic incident unfolded at Ascot on Friday when a horse sustained a fatal injury and a jockey had to be hospitalized. The unfortunate event occurred during the Sodexo Live! Handicap race as the frontrunners were nearing the finish line, with just one furlong left in the 7f race.
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy, riding Excellent Echo, fell from the horse, while Nordic Norm, ridden by Sam James, also suffered a fall. Despite Murphy quickly getting back on his feet, Excellent Echo, who suffered a broken leg, continued on the track before being stopped by its handler near the end of the race.
Privacy screens were put up around the injured three-year-old horse, trained by Dominic Ffrench Davis, as veterinary professionals tended to its injuries. Simultaneously, Sam James remained on the track for a few minutes until medical assistance arrived, and he was then taken to the hospital on a stretcher.
A spokesperson from Ascot confirmed the unfortunate outcome, stating that Excellent Echo had succumbed to its injuries, while Oisin Murphy was unharmed. Nordic Norm was taken to the stables for further evaluation due to cuts and bruises. Sam James, conscious but injured, received medical attention on-site before being transferred to the hospital for additional checks.
Following the incident, stewards expressed their intention to investigate potential interference involving Forty Years On, Nordic Norm, and Tactical Plan during the race. However, due to the medical attention required by the involved jockeys, the inquiry was postponed to a later date for a thorough review.