Tragedy at the track as apprentice jockey Megan Taylor, 25, dies in horror New Zealand race fall
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Tragedy on the track when the 26-year-old apprentice jockey dies in horror. The New Zealand race involves four horses, as revealed in his latest Instagram post: “A sad day for racing.”
- Megan Taylor died in a fall from four horses on the South Island of New Zealand
- Jockey was reportedly struck by another horse after falling to the ground on Friday.
- Three other riders involved in the fall sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
New Zealand’s racing industry is in mourning after trainee jockey Megan Taylor was killed in a race at Ashburton on the country’s South Island on Friday.
The 26-year-old was riding Red Orchid in the second race when her mount appeared to get caught between two other horses and crashed onto the track just after 1pm local time.
One of the other three horses involved in the fall struck Taylor while she was on the ground, the New Zealand Herald informed.
Taylor had won 16 races before losing his life in a four-horse fall on Friday.
She was pronounced dead shortly thereafter and the race was abandoned.
The other three jockeys involved in the accident, Diego Montes de Oca, Samantha Wynne and Tin Comignahgi, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
New Zealand Racing Minister Kieran McAnulty confirmed the tragic news in a post on Twitter.
“I am very saddened to hear of the passing of jockey Megan Taylor during a race this afternoon. I want to pass on my deepest condolences to Megan’s family and friends, and to all those in the industry who worked alongside her and knew her,” she wrote.
The 26-year-old’s (pictured) latest Instagram post was accompanied by the caption: “Do what you love, love what you do.” I get paid to hug animals every day… I can’t complain!’
Taylor earned the first of his 16 race victories in June of last year, when he led Jimmy Who to victory at Timaru.
“It was a great thrill as I’ve worked so hard to get this and it came on my first ride on Timaru,” he said.
In her last Instagram post before the accident, Taylor showed her followers a photo of herself holding a horse accompanied by the caption: “Do what you love, love what you do.” I get paid to hug animals every day… I can’t complain!’