HOW CAIRNS WAS KILLED.

Shannon News, 23 August 1929, Page 3

HOW CAIRNS WAS KILLED.

INQUEST EVIDENCE.

MELBOURNE, Friday? The tendency of a racehorse to take

off for a jump at the same time as a horse running beside or slightly ahea-L of it, although that may not be the safe moment for a jump, was explained at the inquest to-day into the death of Hugh Harold Cairns, 41, of Kambrookroad, Gaulneld, the well-known jockey. The Coroner (Mr Grant) returned a finding that Cairns was killed when his horse accidentally fell on him. Dr. Flanagan said that death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull. Eith?r the shoulder or the hind quarters of the horse had fallen on Cairns's head.

Alan Bell, a stipendiary steward of the Victoria Racing Club, said th:vi Rakwool was leading Quick Deal, on which Cairns was mounted, by about half :a length. Eakwool appeared to jump, but Quick Deal crashed into the jump, and Cairns fell to the ground. The horse appeared to go over Cairns, who did not move. NO JOSTLING. Mr Bell said that he saw Cairns's mount rise to the jump. The hornseemed to jump too toon. Robin Inkson, a jockey, of Moonee Por.ds, said that he was riding Cobranveil in the race. Eakwool was leading him by about four lengths, and Quick Deal' by about three lengths approaching the last hurdle in the home turn. Both Quick Deal and Eakwool took off to jump the hurdle at the same time. Eakwool cleared the jump, but Quick Deal landed on it. There was no jostling either by or towards Cairns.

"I know Quick Deal," said Inkson, "He wa s a good, safe jumper. There is always a chance of a horse taking off toe soon. I think that is what happened on that day."