5 hours ago
10
Australian jockey Blake Shinn has been taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg after suffering a fall in Race Nine at Flemington on Tuesday.
The 2008 Melbourne Cup winner had been aboard four-year-old She’s Got Pizzazz and had found a bit of space at the front of the pack, coming into the closing stages of the race.
Shinn had placed sixth in the Melbourne Cup aboard Vauban, but with just 200m to go in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes, Shes’ Got Pizzazz made contact with two other horses, with Shinn being sent flying to the turf.
Paramedics immediately rushed to the aid of the 38-year-old Victoria-born jockey, as She’s Got Pizzazz continued to keep up with the pack.
Shinn, thankfully, was sitting up and was conscious. However, he appeared to be in some discomfort, with medics giving him gas and air as they attended him.
It is understood that he has suffered a suspected broken leg.
Racing stewards later reported that She’s Got Pizzazz, who had ran to the finish, was ‘lame off fore’.
‘After a fall at Flemington, Blake Shinn is to be transported to hospital with a suspected broken left leg,’ the Victorian Jockeys’ Association said.
Kerrin McEvoy and Dance To The Boom would go on to win the race but speaking with Billy Slater, his thoughts immediately turned to the welfare of Shinn.
‘Firstly, I just hope Blake Shinn is OK,’ McEvoy said to Channel Nine.
‘You don’t like to see a riderless horse after a race.’
Shinn had been scheduled to ride Windstorm in the final race of the day. Instead, jockey John Allen stepped in and finished fifth.
Earlier in the day, Jamie Melham made history by becoming only the second woman in history to win the Melbourne Cup.
‘This is why we get up out of bed every morning at 4am… it’s tough,’ Melham said to Channel Nine.
‘It’s not all glorious and perfect, as everyone can see sometimes.
‘I’ve had an amazing year. Got married, had some really great days on the track, but nothing ever, ever compares to this feeling right now I’m feeling.
