- Iconic jockey Frankie Dettori won a race in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon
- However, he was thrown off his horse just yards after the finish line
- Dettori escaped unscathed, but his horse had to be put down after the incident
Frankie Dettori escaped a serious injury after being thrown from his horse just moments after winning a race in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The iconic jockey quit British racing to move to the US last year and picked up another win on Matanzas Creek in a 6f £50,000 race in LA.
It was his 28th victory in 150 rides and moved him to fourth in the Santa Anita meet standings, but the 53-year-old barely had time to celebrate before suffering a horror fall from his horse just 50 yards after the finish line.
The horse fell face first, with Dettori following afterwards in a shocking incident just seconds after the euphoria of victory.
Dettori hit the deck hard and was fortunate to come away unscathed as he was able to walk back to the jockeys’ room, although he withdrew from all further races on the card.
Frankie Dettori escaped injury after falling off Matanzas Creek following a race on Saturday
However, Matanzas Creek was unable to survive the incident, as it was later confirmed that he had been put down after earlier being taken away in a horse ambulance.
‘Matanzas Creek sustained irreparable injuries to his right front fetlock,’ Tim Ryan, representing part-owner SF Racing, posted on X.
‘It’s a heartbreaking decision to make, but he was euthanised on site. Our hearts go out to the horse and the people who adored and cared for him. Thankfully, Frankie walked away from this tragedy.’
Matanzas Creek being put down comes just days after another popular horse died on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Highland Hunter, an 11-year-old grey, collapsed and died after a heavy fall during the Ultima Handicap Chase last Tuesday.
His death came just 10 days after an emotional victory at Newbury under jockey Paddy Brennan.
Highland Hunter had also led the funeral procession of Keagan Kirkby just days before the Cheltenham Festival, after the jockey died following a fall from his horse during the last race of the day at Charing racecourse in February.
