- Iconic jockey Frankie Dettori won a race in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon
- However, he was thrown from his horse just meters after the finish line.
- Dettori escaped unhurt, but his horse had to be put down after the incident.
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Frankie Dettori escaped serious injury after being thrown from his horse just moments after winning a race in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The iconic jockey left British racing to move to the United States last year and scored another victory at Matanzas Creek in a 6f £50,000 race in Los Angeles.
It was his 28th victory in 150 races and propelled him to fourth place in the Santa Anita competition standings, but the 53-year-old barely had time to celebrate before suffering a horrific fall from his horse just 50 meters after the finish line.
The horse fell face first, followed by Dettori in a shocking incident just seconds after the euphoria of victory.
Dettori hit the deck hard and was lucky to escape unscathed as he was able to walk back to the jockeys’ room, although he withdrew from all other races scheduled on the card.
Frankie Dettori escaped injury after falling in Matanzas Creek after a race on Saturday
Dettori quit the British race in favor of crossing the Atlantic Ocean (pictured earlier in March)
However, Matanzas Creek was unable to survive the incident, as it was later confirmed that he was shot after being taken away in a horse ambulance.
“Matanzas Creek suffered irreparable injuries to his right front fetlock,” Tim Ryan, representing co-owner SF Racing, said on X.
“This is a heartbreaking decision to make, but he was euthanized at the scene. Our thoughts are with the horse and the people who loved and cared for him. Fortunately, Frankie escaped this tragedy.
The destruction of Matanzas Creek comes just days after another popular horse died on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Highland Hunter, an 11-year-old gray, collapsed and died after a heavy fall during the Ultima Handicap Chase last Tuesday.
Highland Hunter (left) also suffered a fatal fall in March, during the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
His death came just ten days after an emotional victory at Newbury under jockey Paddy Brennan.
Highland Hunter also led Keagan Kirkby’s funeral cortege just days before the Cheltenham Festival, after the jockey died following a fall from his horse during the final race of the day at Charing Racecourse in February.