TENSION Horse dies and jockey hospitalised after heavy fall at Ascot as stewards postpone investigation into tragic incident that has caused huge controversy in the horse racing industry
In the glamorous yet unforgiving world of British horse racing, tragedy struck at Ascot Racecourse on Friday evening, September 5, 2025, casting a long shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory fixture.
During the seventh and final race of the day—the Sodexo Live! Handicap—a catastrophic collision just one furlong from the finish line resulted in the death of a promising three-year-old colt, Excellent Echo, and left jockey Sam James fighting for recovery in hospital.
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy, riding Excellent Echo, escaped unscathed, but the incident has ignited fierce debate across the sport, with stewards forced to postpone their investigation amid mounting calls for urgent reform.
The race, a competitive Class 2 handicap over seven furlongs on Ascot’s famed straight, featured a field of 12 runners vying for a share of the £50,000 prize pot.
As the leaders surged toward the line, tension built in the stands where thousands of spectators, including high-profile trainers and owners, watched in anticipation. Forty Years On, under Callum Shepherd, held a narrow advantage, but the drama unfolded in a split second behind the frontrunners.
Excellent Echo, trained by Dominic Ffrench Davis and a consistent performer in recent outings, appeared to clip the heels of the second-placed horse, Dannick, ridden by Jim Crowley.
The misstep triggered a chain reaction: Excellent Echo somersaulted violently to the turf, fatally fracturing a foreleg, while Nordic Norm, piloted by Sam James, was brought down in the melee.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of pandemonium. “It was like watching a domino effect in slow motion,” said one trackside observer, who captured the moment on a smartphone video now circulating widely on social media. “The crowd went silent instantly.
You could hear the gasps.” Veterinary teams and a horse ambulance rushed to the stricken Excellent Echo, but despite their efforts, the colt—a bay gelding with just five starts under his belt and a reputation for speed—had to be euthanized on the course to spare further suffering.
Black screens were hastily erected around the site, a somber protocol that underscored the gravity of the loss.
Murphy, the 2024 champion jockey and a three-time winner of the title, dismounted quickly and was seen pacing nearby, his face etched with shock. Remarkably, he walked away with only minor abrasions and returned to the weighing room for mandatory medical checks.
In contrast, James, a respected northern-based rider known for his work with trainer Brian Ellison, lay motionless on the track for several agonizing minutes. Medical staff attended to him promptly, stabilizing the 32-year-old before stretchering him into an ambulance.
An Ascot spokesperson confirmed later that evening: “Sam James was conscious and treated by medical teams on the track and has been transferred to hospital for further assessment.” As of December 1, 2025, James remains under observation for potential spinal and head injuries, with updates indicating steady but cautious progress.
Nordic Norm, fortunately, sustained only superficial cuts and scratches and was reported stable in the stables.
The fallout was immediate and multifaceted. Stewards, tasked with upholding the integrity of the sport under the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), convened urgently to review footage of the race.
Two potential issues emerged: first, possible interference near the furlong pole involving the winner, Forty Years On, Nordic Norm, and Tactical Plan; second, the precise circumstances of Excellent Echo’s fall after appearing to brush Dannick.
However, with James hospitalized and Murphy still undergoing concussion protocols, the panel deemed it impossible to proceed. “The enquiry into the fall of Excellent Echo was adjourned to a date to be confirmed,” read the official statement, a decision that has only amplified the controversy.
This postponement has opened a Pandora’s box of criticism within the racing community. Animal welfare groups, including the RSPCA and PETA, seized on the incident to renew demands for an outright ban on horse racing, citing it as emblematic of the sport’s inherent risks.
“Another young life lost for the sake of a wager—how many more tragedies before we admit this is cruelty dressed as tradition?” tweeted PETA UK director Elisa Allen, whose post garnered over 50,000 engagements within hours.
Data from Animal Aid’s Race Horse Death Watch, which logs on-course fatalities, reveals a grim toll: 2025 has already seen 128 thoroughbred deaths in Britain alone, up 12% from the previous year, prompting accusations that economic pressures—rising costs and shrinking prize money—are pushing horses to their limits.
Even insiders are divided. Prominent trainer Andrew Balding called the delay “unacceptable,” arguing in a Racing Post interview that it erodes public trust. “Fans deserve answers now, not weeks later when memories fade,” he said.
Conversely, the Jockeys’ Association issued a statement defending the stewards, emphasizing rider safety: “Postponing ensures fairness and prevents rushed judgments that could endanger lives further.” Murphy himself broke his silence on Instagram, posting a heartfelt tribute to Excellent Echo: “A warrior with so much heart.
My thoughts are with Sam’s family and the connections. We must learn from this.” His words resonated, but they couldn’t quell the broader storm.
The controversy extends to betting markets, where the incident froze payouts pending the enquiry’s outcome. Bookmakers like Betfair and William Hill withheld settlements on the race, affecting punters who had backed Forty Years On at 5/1 odds.
Historical precedents, such as the infamous 2015 St Leger reversal or the 1980 2000 Guineas demotion of Nureyev, remind stakeholders that stewards’ rooms can upend fortunes. Here, whispers of potential disqualifications swirl, with some speculating that Dannick’s positioning may come under scrutiny, though Crowley has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
As Ascot’s lights dimmed that night, the track—synonymous with royal pageantry and the thrill of the Derby—felt tainted. The BHA has promised a swift rescheduling of the enquiry, potentially for mid-December, and announced an independent review into fall prevention protocols, including enhanced heel-clip monitoring and AI-assisted race analysis.
Yet, for many, the damage is done. This tragedy at one of racing’s crown jewels has not only postponed an investigation but postponed a reckoning.
In an industry grappling with declining attendances and ethical scrutiny, the death of Excellent Echo and the hospitalization of Sam James serve as a stark reminder: beneath the silk and spectacle lies a fragility that no amount of tradition can shield.
Veteran commentator Desmond Stoneham summed it up on BBC Radio 5 Live: “Racing thrives on tension, but this is the kind that breaks us.” With James’s recovery ongoing and the sport bracing for the enquiry’s revelations, the coming weeks will test whether Ascot’s fall becomes a catalyst for change—or just another scar on a beleaguered legacy.
For now, the silence from the stands speaks louder than any roar.
