DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Sports

Racehorse injury rules under spotlight after jockey's death

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A coroner recommended stricter reporting for racehorses returning from injury after a jockey's death in 2022.
  • The jockey died when her horse suffered a catastrophic leg injury during track work, causing her to be thrown and crushed.
  • The coroner found the horse was appropriately managed despite a previous injury, but recommended safeguards for horse return-to-work protocols.

A coroner has called for enhanced reporting standards for racehorses recovering from injuries, following the tragic death of apprentice jockey Marina Morel in New South Wales more than four years ago. Morel died in February 2022 after the mare she was riding, Lina's Choice, sustained a severe leg injury during track work at Gulgong Racecourse. The mare fell while galloping, throwing Morel to the ground before rolling on her. She sustained fatal blunt-force injuries and later died in hospital.

An inquest into Morel's death investigated whether a prior injury to Lina's Choice contributed to the fatal incident. The mare had suffered a ligament injury in March 2021 and was recommended a nine-to-12-month rest period. However, she returned to work after just over six months. Despite this, Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee determined that the rest period was consistent with academic research and that trainer Brett Thompson had appropriately managed the mare's return to work. Lee found no evidence that the previous injury predisposed Lina's Choice to stress fractures, noting the mare had performed well in trials and races after her return.

Mr Thompson followed his usual practice for the management of horses returning to work from injury for Lina's Choice, which was appropriate.

— Deputy State Coroner Derek LeeThe coroner's findings on the management of the racehorse after a previous injury.

Equine chiropractor Gary Christou had noted chest stiffness in Lina's Choice six days before the incident, recommending monitoring. The coroner deemed this response appropriate, stating the stiffness did not necessitate a veterinary assessment. However, evidence indicated Lina's Choice had developed stress fractures in her left humerus, leading to the catastrophic fracture during track work. The coroner concluded there was no link between the previous injury and these stress fractures. The inquest resulted in several recommendations aimed at strengthening Racing NSW's oversight of horses returning to work after injury.

There is no evidence that the previous injury was associated with the stress fractures.

— Deputy State Coroner Derek LeeThe coroner's conclusion regarding the cause of the fatal leg fracture.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog