Racehorse TALK

I thought it may have been Sporty .... he can be an angry little ant somtimes 

 

Bump

I know this is 2 years late, my sister just found this reference to Stan Cassidy while googling, so I thought I'd set the record right. 

Stan died in a trackwork fall, not a race fall, in 1974 at Randwick.  The reins snapped due to a fault in the leather which was covered by the rubber grip.  He was pulling up at the 1/4 mile crossing when the reins snapped, spearing him headfirst into a 6 x 6 inch wooden gate post.   He died the following day.  All these posts were removed the next week, leaving only aluminium rails which are more survivable.  Wont go into resposibilities here.

He had no Aboriginal blood.  I am his eldest son and looked up the family tree for one of my daughter's school projects.  All Aus/Irish 3 generations back from him.  He was born in Boorowa which is sort of close to Bathurst.  Did not know of the dog race, but he enjoyed all forms of racing and had many friends involved in dog and harness racing.

No relation to the NZ Cassidy's, although Jim looks so much like him, he could be his brother - must be plenty of common Cassidy genes there.

It must have been Sid Bundy that the first post referred to.  He died in a race fall a couple of years later.

It's a dangerous game.  During his career he suffered more than 20 broken bones, including a broken back, before paying the ultimate price.   Sadly, he was just about to retire from riding to take up training.  What a difference a couple of weeks would have made.

There has been too many casualties since, and we always feel deeply for the family and friends each time another Jockey dies on the job.  At least the authorities seem to be serious about safety nowadays. 

I call on everyone here to support the Jockey Association push for serious compulsory insurance for all jocks.  You would know that only 10% earn the big money and even the top earners can leave their families in a bad situation.

This is my first post on this site and I'm not usually so morose or verbose... must be the subject.

Cheers

Thanks for the info Casso 

Thanks a lot Casso.

Much appreciated mate 

Thanks for posting that Casso.

Stan Cassidy was certainly a well known jockey of the time. I think he rode the great Baguette to win the Silver Slipper back in 1969?

Always a great shock and much sadness when a jockey passes on due to a race fall. I can remember Sid Bundy's passing, and the day Kenny Russell died sticks out in the memory very much. Noel Barker was another one who lost his life in trackwork/trial.

The profession must have one of the worst mortality rates of any, and that statistic doesn't cover those who receive permanent disability.

In all the court cases and high court challenges and profit vs. turnover arguments where people are fighting to get their hands on every cent they can grab, the welfare of one of the most important contributors to the industry seem to be sadly forgotten, and put on the low priority list.

He did.

He was also the regular jockey of Baguette's talented elder sister Heirloom.

Welcome to the forum Casso.

I can't think of a job in this country that would have a higher mortality or serious injury rate.

Always shits me when people like Glen Pollett slag off jockeys and suggest they have it easy.