Accident on the Bulls Racecourse.

Manawatu Herald, 26 January 1893, Page 2

Accident on the Bulls Racecourse.

On Sunday morning, while galloping Dr Bennett's Eve on the Bulls racecourse, George Reid, the popular light weight jockey, met with a very severe accident, and that he escaped with his life was a miracle. Permission had been obtained from the Jockey Club to gallop the mare on the racing track, and on Saturday morning Mr Jas. Hathaway, Dr Bennett's trainer, took down the three chains which are generally across the course at different places to keep off the horses. On Suuday morning Reid went with Mr Hathaway to the course in order to give Eve a gallop round the course on the racing track. All went well until the straight was being approached, and Reid was riding Eve at her top speed, wheu, to his horror he observed that the last chain, four lengths in front of him, was up. All hope of pulling in the mare was in vain Fortunately she was running on the inside of the course and ducked her head and so missed it, but it caught Reid across the throat and at such a pace was he going that the chain, although a threequarter inch one, was snapped in two. Reid fell insensible to the ground and was in that condition when picked up by Hathaway, who, from his place of vantage on the stand, saw him fall. Reid quickly regained consciousness and was able to walk down to Dr Bennett's, where his injuries were attended to. It was found that he had, in some most unaccountable manner escaped, with a severe shaking. The neck was scraped with the chain and much swollen, and the face badly bruised with the fall, whilst his back was also badly racked. Reid was, of course, unable to ride at Foxton yesterday where he was engaged for several mounts, but in the evening was feeling his usual self again, and is looking forward to riding at Turakina on Thursday. The swelling of the neck has quite subsided and a very speedy recovery is anticipated. The fact of the chain having been put across the course was a nieie accident, and no blame is attachable to anyone for the occurrence. — Advocate.