COLLINSVILLE - Jockey trampled, in critical condition
- A jockey was in critical condition Monday after being thrown from his horse and trampled by another horse during a race at Fairmount Park.
Christopher Quinn of Fairmont City was riding Wiley Hunt when another horse clipped his horse during the first race about 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Injuries in horse racing are common, said Jon Sloane, a Fairmount Park spokesman.
"When you have eight to 10 horses racing at 35 mph close to one another, this is going to happen once in a while. Fortunately, these serious accidents do not occur as often," Sloane said. "We're all pulling for him."
The collision was ruled an accident after it was investigated by the state, Sloane said.
Quinn's condition changed to critical condition Monday after being listed as serious over the weekend. He remains at St. Louis University Hospital, said hospital spokesman Susan Hackes.
"It's a dangerous sport. I think it's the most dangerous," said Ardith Decker, a Collinsville bar owner who was once married to a horse jockey. "A horse could break its leg, and the jockey goes down too and can be seriously injured."
Decker's bar, Ardie & Tiny's Tavern at 100 John St., is a frequent place for jockeys, horse handlers and people who attend the races across the street from her business.
"Everyone was in here crying on Saturday night after the races, jockeys and all," Decker said. "I think he is about 36 years old. He would come in here now and then. He is a good, sweet person."
"Those jockeys pray every time they go out to a race," Decker said. "I've seen jockeys do the sign of the cross before a race."
The dangers of horse racing were chronicled in the bestseller "Seabiscuit: An American Legend." A movie based on the book will be released Friday.
Decker said she has seen a videotape of the race in which Quinn was injured. She said Quinn's horse was clearly clipped by another horse causing him to spill onto the ground, where he was run over by a trailing horse.
Investigations are conducted by the Illinois Racing Board, according to the state of Illinois Web site. Representatives of the Illinois Racing Board could not be reached for comment.
http://www.belleville.com/mld/newsdemocrat/6354453.htm
- A jockey was in critical condition Monday after being thrown from his horse and trampled by another horse during a race at Fairmount Park.
Christopher Quinn of Fairmont City was riding Wiley Hunt when another horse clipped his horse during the first race about 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Injuries in horse racing are common, said Jon Sloane, a Fairmount Park spokesman.
"When you have eight to 10 horses racing at 35 mph close to one another, this is going to happen once in a while. Fortunately, these serious accidents do not occur as often," Sloane said. "We're all pulling for him."
The collision was ruled an accident after it was investigated by the state, Sloane said.
Quinn's condition changed to critical condition Monday after being listed as serious over the weekend. He remains at St. Louis University Hospital, said hospital spokesman Susan Hackes.
"It's a dangerous sport. I think it's the most dangerous," said Ardith Decker, a Collinsville bar owner who was once married to a horse jockey. "A horse could break its leg, and the jockey goes down too and can be seriously injured."
Decker's bar, Ardie & Tiny's Tavern at 100 John St., is a frequent place for jockeys, horse handlers and people who attend the races across the street from her business.
"Everyone was in here crying on Saturday night after the races, jockeys and all," Decker said. "I think he is about 36 years old. He would come in here now and then. He is a good, sweet person."
"Those jockeys pray every time they go out to a race," Decker said. "I've seen jockeys do the sign of the cross before a race."
The dangers of horse racing were chronicled in the bestseller "Seabiscuit: An American Legend." A movie based on the book will be released Friday.
Decker said she has seen a videotape of the race in which Quinn was injured. She said Quinn's horse was clearly clipped by another horse causing him to spill onto the ground, where he was run over by a trailing horse.
Investigations are conducted by the Illinois Racing Board, according to the state of Illinois Web site. Representatives of the Illinois Racing Board could not be reached for comment.
http://www.belleville.com/mld/newsdemocrat/6354453.htm
