A horse has tragically been put down and a jockey taken to hospital after an accident during the Sodexo Live! Handicap at Ascot’s Royal meeting
18:34, 05 Sep 2025Updated 18:34, 05 Sep 2025
Black screens surround jockey Sam James as he is attended to by medics at Ascot(Image: Jon Lees)
A horse sustained a fatal injury and a jockey was rushed to hospital following a horrific accident at Ascot.
The incident occurred as the field entered the final furlong of the Sodexo Live! Handicap over 7f, just as the leaders were mounting their challenges.
Excellent Echo, partnered by champion jockey Oisin Murphy, fell heavily with Nordic Norm, ridden by Sam James, also hitting the turf. Murphy was quickly back on his feet, but Excellent Echo had suffered a broken leg and made his way up the course before being caught by his handler close to the winning post.
Privacy screens were put up around the Dominic Ffrench Davis-trained three-year-old while vets attended to him, and a horse ambulance arrived at the scene.
James remained on the track for several minutes with Murphy staying nearby until an ambulance reached them. The jockey was then placed on a stretcher and transported to hospital, reports the Mirror.
Oisin Murphy walked away unscathed from the incident(Image: PA)
An Ascot spokesperson confirmed: “Unfortunately following an incident during the seventh race today, Excellent Echo suffered a fatal injury.
“His jockey, Oisin Murphy, walked in and was fine. Nordic Norm was taken to the stables for further assessment with cuts and scratches. His jockey, Sam James, was conscious and treated by medical teams on the track and has been transferred to hospital for further assessment.”
A stewards report stated: “The Stewards wished to hold an enquiry into possible interference approaching the 1 furlong marker involving the winner, Forty Years On, ridden by Callum Shepherd; Nordic Norm, which later was brought down, ridden by Sam James; and Tactical Plan, unplaced, ridden by Jim Crowley, but were unable to do so as James was receiving medical attention. The enquiry was adjourned to a date to be confirmed.”
It continued: “The Stewards wished to hold an enquiry into the fall of Excellent Echo, approximately 1 furlong from the line after the gelding appeared to clip the heels of Dannick, placed second, but were unable to do so as Murphy was still undergoing medical assessment. The enquiry was adjourned to a date to be confirmed.”