A horror fall at Ipswich has claimed the life of a racehorse and left one of Queensland racing’s most experienced jockeys in hospital, sending shockwaves through the racing community.
Six-year-old mare Maurita was euthanised following a three-horse fall in last Thursday’s Gibson Benchmark Architects 58 Handicap, which also saw jockeys Mark Du Plessis, Jace McMurray and Boris Thornton hit the turf in a frightening incident.
Du Plessis, who was aboard Maurita, was transferred to hospital for X-rays on a leg injury, while McMurray and Thornton escaped serious injury but were stood down for the remainder of the meeting.
The incident cast a dark shadow over the Ipswich meeting, with racing fans and industry figures taking to social media to express their concern for the injured riders and horses.
It is also the second consecutive year Du Plessis has been caught up in a serious incident at Ipswich.
Twelve months ago, the experienced jockey was among four riders injured in a fall at the track that resulted in Fast Fun being euthanised after going down with jockey Nikita Beriman aboard.
Maurita, a daughter of Maurice, recorded two wins and five placings from 36 career starts, earning $65,640 for her connections.
