SAD NEWS – Rider Jason Collett was shocked after a terrible fall, rushed back in desperation to save his collapsed horse in the middle of the Sydney Stakes racetrack, but was unable to save the horse and a wave of demands for BHA investigation erupted as the race continued as if nothing had happened.
In the heart-pounding world of thoroughbred racing, where speed and spectacle often eclipse the raw peril beneath, a tragic incident unfolded at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse on October 19, 2024, during the prestigious $2 million Sydney Stakes. What began as a routine sprint in the shadow of The Everest Carnival turned into a nightmare that left spectators, trainers, and fellow jockeys reeling. Champion jockey Jason Collett, thrown violently from his mount Think About It, defied every instinct of self-preservation to rush back to the aid of his stricken horse. Yet, in a cruel twist, the horse’s life on the track was ended, sparking a firestorm of outrage and calls for scrutiny from regulatory bodies far beyond Australia’s borders. As the field thundered past without pause, the scene ignited demands for a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) investigation, highlighting growing global concerns over equine welfare in high-stakes events.
The Sydney Stakes, a Group 1 showdown over 1,200 meters, drew a capacity crowd to Randwick under a crisp spring sun. Think About It, a six-year-old gelding sired by the legendary So You Think and trained by Joseph Pride, entered the race with a glittering resume. The horse had claimed victory in the 2023 edition of The Everest, Australia’s richest turf race, amassing over $15 million in prizemoney and cementing his status as a fan favorite. Collett, a 33-year-old New Zealand-born jockey with over 1,000 career wins, had partnered Think About It in several triumphs, forging a bond built on trust and mutual respect. “He’s a beautiful horse,” Collett later reflected in a trembling voice, his words carrying the weight of a partnership severed too soon.
As the horses rounded the bend into the homestretch, disaster struck with blinding speed. Think About It, positioned at the rear of the pack, suddenly faltered. His strides shortened, legs buckled, and in an instant, he collapsed to the turf in a heap of flailing limbs and labored breaths. Collett was catapulted forward, somersaulting through the air before crashing down hard on the unforgiving surface. Commentators gasped in unison—”Oh no, he’s down! Think About It is down!”—their voices cracking over the broadcast. The crowd fell into a stunned hush as the rest of the field, oblivious in the heat of competition, surged onward. Shockingly, the race officials waved the green flag, allowing the sprint to conclude without interruption. I Wish I Win crossed the line first, but the victory felt hollow amid the unfolding tragedy.
Collett, battered but unbroken, staggered to his feet in a haze of adrenaline and dust. Ignoring the risk of oncoming hooves or his own injuries, he sprinted the 50 meters back to his fallen partner. Think About It lay thrashing on his side, eyes wide with terror, a crimson froth bubbling from his nostrils—a telltale sign of the catastrophic pulmonary hemorrhage that had felled him. Racing at speeds nearing 60 kilometers per hour, the horse had suffered a massive internal bleed, a rare but devastating affliction where blood floods the lungs, starving the body of oxygen. “My first thought wasn’t me—it was him,” Collett recounted in interviews the following day. “I turned and saw him struggling, and I just ran. If he tried to get up on three legs, it could’ve been worse. I held his head, talked to him, tried to calm him down.” Video footage captured the harrowing moment: Collett kneeling beside the massive animal, stroking his neck, whispering reassurances as veterinary teams rushed the scene. Stewards later praised his “remarkable presence of mind,” noting that his actions likely prevented further injury to the horse.
For agonizing minutes, the outcome hung in the balance. Think About It, weighing over 500 kilograms, was a picture of equine agony—legs kicking futilely against the grass, chest heaving in desperate gasps. Onlookers held their breath, many shielding their eyes from the graphic display. Trainer Joseph Pride arrived pale-faced, his usual composure shattered. “I walked down expecting the worst,” Pride admitted. “Seeing his big head bob up above the screens was such a relief, but it didn’t last.” Vets worked frantically, administering oxygen and sedatives, but the damage was profound. The hemorrhage had compromised the horse’s cardiovascular system irreparably for racing. In a somber announcement that evening, Pride confirmed Think About It’s retirement: “He’s a warrior, but we can’t risk putting him through that again. He’ll live out his days comfortably, but his career is over.”
Collett emerged unscathed physically—a miracle, given the fall’s severity—but the emotional toll was evident. Cleared to ride the next day, he spoke of the incident with a mix of gratitude and grief. “They don’t usually walk away from that. I thought he’d broken down, but it was the bleed. I’m just glad he’s alive.” Racing NSW chief steward Steve Railton lauded the jockey’s selflessness: “Jason’s instinct to check on the horse first speaks volumes about the respect these riders have for their partners.” Fans echoed the sentiment on social media, with posts flooding platforms like X (formerly Twitter): “Huge respect for Jason Collett—rushing back in that danger shows true heart for the animal.”
Yet, amid the tributes, fury brewed. The decision to let the race continue unabated drew sharp criticism, amplifying long-simmering debates on horse safety. “How can they just wave them through?” one spectator tweeted, her words resonating with thousands. Animal rights groups, including Voices for Horses and PETA Australia, condemned the protocol as callous, arguing it prioritized spectacle over sentience. “This isn’t sport; it’s exploitation,” a PETA spokesperson stated. The backlash crossed oceans, with UK-based advocates petitioning the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) for an independent review. Why the BHA? As a leading global regulator with influence over international standards, it’s seen as a benchmark for reform. Demands poured in for mandatory race stoppages in equine distress cases, enhanced pre-race health screenings, and stricter penalties for welfare lapses. “If the BHA investigates, it could set a precedent,” said equine expert Dr. Lydia Thompson. “Australia’s rules lag behind—races should halt immediately for any collapse.”
By November 2025, over a year on, the echoes persist. Think About It thrives in retirement at a lush Queensland stud, his spirit unbroken, but the incident has catalyzed change. Racing NSW introduced provisional guidelines for mid-race veterinary interventions, though critics call them insufficient. Collett, now a vocal advocate, partners with welfare initiatives, reminding the industry of the fragile line between glory and heartbreak. “We ride for the thrill, but we live for them,” he says. The Sydney Stakes tragedy underscores a pivotal truth: in an era of multimillion-dollar purses, the soul of racing lies not in the winners’ circle, but in the compassion shown when the thunder falls silent. As demands for BHA oversight grow, one hopes this sad news becomes the catalyst for a safer, kinder track ahead.
