- The former Everest winner was racing in the Sydney Stakes
- Spectators were shocked when he collapsed mid-race.
A prominent 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, who won the Everest race in 2023, suffered catastrophic internal bleeding during the Sydney Stakes race last Saturday.
Jockey Jason Collett was thrown from his mount at the top of the starting turn, but quickly got to his feet to run and provide comfort to the distressed horse, with no concern for his safety.
A screen was put up to block the harrowing scene from view of the crowd, which is normally a sure sign that the horse is about to be put down.
Surprisingly, the horse’s head appeared on the screen, and Think About It had been helped up.
He was then escorted from the track to his stall, where a veterinary evaluation revealed the severity of the heart problem, and owners and trainer Joe Pride made the immediate decision to retire him from racing.
“Graphic footage (but) I love listening to Think About It, he’ll be living life like a king from here on out when he’s retired,” racing analyst John Wall posted on social media platform X.
“But I have great respect for Jason Collett in an incredibly dangerous situation, trying to comfort the horse without hesitation.”
Think About It, son of two-time Cox Plate champion So You Think, was clearly distressed on the track and Collett said his first instinct was to try to get him back on his feet.
“I’m fine and surprisingly the horse has returned to the stables,” Collett said.
‘They don’t do that. I thought he had collapsed but he bled to death.
Jockey Jason Collett has been praised for his bravery after his mount crashed into the grass in the Sydney Stakes at Randwick last Saturday.
Collett was knocked off his horse Think About It mid-race, but bravely ran back to care for the injured animal.
Thank About It had suffered a bleeding attack, but was able to walk back to the stables and was immediately removed from racing.
RacingNSW later confirmed that Think About It had suffered a major haemorrhage attack but would make a full recovery.
Collett’s bravery was praised by racing fans.
“It’s very disturbing to watch the animal in these situations. Congratulations to Jason for not leaving his post at this distressing time,” one posted.
‘This shows how much love there is for these animals. Anyone who has ever handled a horse knows that what Jason did was selfless. He risked comforting the horse. Legend,” praised another follower.
‘Incredibly brave and selfless. Talk about emotional intelligence. So calm under pressure. Congratulations Jason,” added another.
It was a horrible moment for Coach Pride, who feared the worst as he ran onto the track to get to Think About It, expecting the worst because of the screen.
‘I walked down the straight. It was about 400 meters up, just a slow, painful hike, by myself. “I feared the worst,” Pride said.
But then I saw his head appear 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 that he was standing was a huge relief.” The difference between him not leaving Randwick Racecourse and him retiring a happy, healthy horse, well, it was just a huge relief.
The decision to immediately retire Think About It was an easy one for the coach.
I couldn’t risk it 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 barn this morning and he had his head hanging out the door. He looked the same as any other day after a race.
“I’m very happy to see him this morning. I can’t even believe that he doesn’t even seem to be in pain from the fall. He turned around and was doing about 60 km/h.