Horse Dies In First Race Of Warrnambool’s Jumps Carnival

Warrnambool’s May Racing Carnival has witnessed horror start, with a horse dying after falling in the first race of the day.

Shine The Armour was the victim of a shocking race fall that occurred at the second last jump of the 3,200 metre Maiden Hurdle.

The horse’s jockey, Michelle Hagley, was taken to Warrnambool Base Hospital for observation after she was pinned under the ill-fated horse.

Victorian Jockeys Association’s chief executive, Des O’Keefe, said that Ms Hagley was expected to make a full recovery.

“She said she didn’t feel she had broken anything,” Mr O’Keefe said.

Shine The Armour also brought down Pharaoh Murphy and his jockey Nathan Dunn, who were both fortunate enough to escape injury.

Pharaoh Murphy’s jockey felt that Shine The Armour had died instantaneously.

“The horse was dead before I hit I reckon,” Dunn said.

“It would seem the horse either had a heart attack or broke its neck on impact.”

Earlier in the same race Celtic Empire also fell but avoided serious injury and continued running.

Shine The Armour’s death is the second in the current Victorian hurdle racing season and a grave start to the much anticipated three-day Warrnambool carnival.

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