A leading jockey has been praised for his quick thinking and bravery after his champion mount collapsed on the track at Sydney‘s Randwick racecourse last weekend.
Champion racehorse Think About It, which won the 2023 running of The Everest, suffered a catastrophic internal haemorrhage during the running of the Sydney Stakes last Saturday.
Jockey Jason Collett was thrown from his mount at the top of the home turn, but quickly got to his feet to run over and provide comfort to the distressed horse, unconcerned for his safety.
A screen was brought out to block the distressing scene from the view of the packed crowd, which is ordinarily a certain sign the horse is about to be euthanised.
Remarkably the horse’s head then popped above the screen, with Think About It having been helped up.
He was then walked from the track back to his box, where a veterinary assessment revealed the severity of the heart issue, and owners and trainer Joe Pride made the immediate decision to retire him from racing.
‘Graphic footage [but] love to hear Think About It will be living life like a King from here on out in retirement,’ racing analyst John Wall posted to social media platform X.
‘But huge respect for Jason Collett in a crazy dangerous situation, trying to comfort the horse without any hesitation.’
Think About It, which was sired by two-time Cox Plate Champion So You Think, was clearly distressed on the track and Collett said his first instinct was to try and get him back to his feet.
‘I’m OK and amazingly the horse has walked back to the stalls,’ Collett said.
‘They don’t do that. I thought he’d broken down but he’s bled out.’
Jockey Jason Collett has been praised for his bravery after his mount crashed to the turf at the Sydney Stakes at Randwick last Saturday
Collett was thrown from his horse Think About It mid-race but courageously ran back to care for the stricken animal
Thank About It had suffered a bleeding attack, but was able to walk back to the stables and was immediately retired from racing
RacingNSW later confirmed that Think About It had suffered a major bleeding attack but would make a full recovery.
Collett’s bravery was lauded by racing fans.
‘It’s very unsettling to watch the animal in these situations, Well done to Jason for not leaving his post at this very distressing time,’ one posted.
‘It shows just how much love there is for these animals. Anyone who had handles a horse knows what Jason did was selfless. Risked himself to comfort the horse. Legend,’ praised another supporter.
‘Unbelievably brave and selfless. Talk about emotional intelligence. So calm under pressure. Congratulations Jason,’ added another.
It was a horrific moment for trainer Pride who feared the worst as he ran out onto the track to make his way up to Think About It, expecting the worst due to the screen.
‘I walked down the straight. It was about 400m metres up – just a slow painful walk, by myself. I was fearing the worst,’ Pride said.
‘But then I saw his head pop up above the screen. It was amazing. I just thought ‘Aahh, what a relief’.
‘I still didn’t know what was wrong with him but just the fact he was up on his feet was such a relief. The difference between him not leaving Randwick Racecourse, and him retiring a happy and sound horse, well, it was just a big relief.’
The decision to immediately retire Think About It was an easy one for the trainer.
‘I couldn’t possibly risk him again. It was a big bleed, so it was an easy decision,’ Pride said.
‘He is bright and happy. I was quite surprised. I walked into the stable this morning, and he has his head hanging out the door. He looked like he does any other day after a race.
‘I am so happy to see him this morning. I can’t even believe he doesn’t even seem to be sore from the tumble. He rolled over and at speed, they’re going about 60km/h.’
