Coroner probes French jockey Marina Morel’s death at Gulgong

The trainer of a horse involved in a track work fall that killed an apprentice French jockey has denied suggestions the animal was not fit to run.

Marina Morel, 30, was riding track work for trainer Brett Thompson at the Gulgong Turf Club on February 8, 2022.

The mare she was riding, Lina’s Choice, collapsed, throwing her over its head.

She was flown to Sydney’s Westmead Hospital, but died four days later.

“She loved horses, she was never scared,” Mr Thompson said as he gave evidence to a coronial inquest today.

Loading…Vet’s advice ignored

The inquest was told that following the fall, Lina’s Choice was euthanased and a post-mortem exam was conducted.

Counsell Assisting the Coroner, David Kell, told the court in his opening statement that the horse injured its right front leg in March 2021, and returned to training five and a half months earlier than a recommendation given by a veterinarian.

But Mr Thompson told the court there was “no rule in racing that the horse had to be out that long”.

“It was always up to us [as] trainer when we thought the horse was right to come back to work,” he said.

Mr Thompson said Lina’s Choice was “perfect” while rehabilitating on his farm.

“When there is sign of an issue, I never hesitate to call a vet,” he said.

Marina Morel started as an apprentice jockey at BKB Racing in 2021. (ABC News)

Equine chiropractor Gary Christou examined Lina’s Choice six days before the tragedy. 

He noted some stiffness in the pectoral chest area and made a recommendation to monitor. 

Dr Christou told the court that at the time, he was not aware of a stress fracture in the animal’s left front leg, otherwise he would have demanded a scan of the area. 

“My job is not only to look after the safety of the horses but also the people,” he said. 

“If anyone knew she had a stress fracture, that area would have been scanned before work. 

“That is a potential for disaster.”

Dr Christou told the inquest Mr Thompson followed his advice “99.9 out of 100 times to the letter”.

French jockey Marina Morel riding track work in Australia. (Supplied: Facebook)

Former stablehand Sarah Connell told the inquest she recalled a foreman making a comment following the fatal fall that the horse “shouldn’t have been working”.

But Ms Connell said she believed what happened was a tragic accident.

“I don’t think anyone is to blame,” she said.

Marina Morel had a special connection with horses. (Supplied)

The inquest heard Marina Morel was known in racing circles as a “good horsewoman” who showed strong intuition with horses.

She had come to Australia in 2014 to pursue her dream of becoming a professional jockey.

Her parents have followed the proceedings each day via live stream from France, staying up all night to follow the evidence presented.

“Different time zones, no doubt, make what is already a difficult process more challenging,” Deputy Stater Coroner Derek Lee said.

Her mother shed tears when a video was shown of Ms Morel riding a horse during training.

The inquest continues.