Horse Dies at Canadian Race Track
Spectators were left horrified on Saturday after a horse crashed into the winner's circle at the Hastings Racecourse, injuring a security guard, before dying from the accident.
Private Mambo threw her jockey after leaving the gate during the sixth race and video footage shows that she probably clipped her heels just after the race began.
The video then shows the horse veering wildly before crashing into the winner's circle.
Before doing so, Private Mambo hit the inner rail of the track, striking security guard Dave Dahl, who remains in serious condition in hospital.
The Media Vice President for the BC Lottery Corporation, Howard Blank said that while the jockey, Geovanni Franco, was not hurt, the guard still has a long way to go before he recovers.
"He had surgery yesterday for internal damage," said Blank. "He has broken ribs and actually has the hoof prints on his chest, which shows you the magnitude of what happened."
Spectators were clearly upset after witnessing this freak accident at the racing course.
"In all our years at Hastings, this has never happened before," said Blank. "It's probably never happened at any track at all."
On Sunday, a moment of silence was held for Private Mambo, who was described as a "real sweetheart" by her owners John Snow.
"It's a real tragedy," he said.
It is believed that the horse's blinkers partially blinded her, causing the accident.
