Racehorse TALK

The French racing community is in mourning after promising jumps jockey Guillaume Javoy was killed in an horrific fall at Le Pin-au-Haras on Sunday.

The 24-year-old had replaced another jockey on chance ride Kahyasia in the opening race of the meeting at the Normandy track, near the town of Argentan.

Another horse tried to run out just before a hurdle about 1000 metres into the race, forcing Kahyasia to put on the brakes in a violent manner.

After striking the running rail, Javoy was taken by helicopter to a hospital at Alencon after the racecourse medical team realised the serious nature of his injuries.

He was then transferred to a hospital in Caen.

Javoy, who is attached to the powerful Francois Cottin stable, had 16 winners to his name this season.

Meanwhile in the United States, jockey Mark Pace died on Sunday after being thrown from his mount in a race at Blue Ribbon Downs in Ohio.

Pace, 58, reportedly resumed riding only recently after a ten-year hiatus.

Pace's mount Reep What You Sow hit the rail on the backstretch in a 1000-metre maiden.

© AAP 2009 Published 20/10/09