Jockey Ray Hewinson, who died after a fall in a hurdle race at Ashburton yesterday, had given up jumps riding for several years after his teenage nephew was killed in a riding fall on the same track.
Apprentice jockey Hunter Thomas, 16, died in June 1984 at almost the same spot that Hewinson fell.
Hewinson gave up riding in jumping events for 14 years as a result, but resumed about four years ago and rode nine winners over jumps.
Thomas had been the last jockey to die in a race in New Zealand until Jo McGartland, of Timaru, lost her life in a fall at Rangiora in February.
The horror list of falls in the South Island this year has also included Christine Lawn, who was paralysed at Wingatui, Dunedin, in January.
Hewinson, 42, who is survived by partner Phillipa and 9-year-old son Michael, was pronounced dead on his arrival at Ashburton Hospital. He had severe head injuries.
His mount, Hilton Jewel, had misjudged a fence in the Taieri Print Hurdles, the opening race on the card.
Hewinson crashed head-first into the turf and appeared to be trampled by a following horse, Clyde, whose rider, Jonathan Barr, was also thrown.
Hewinson was given resuscitation on the spot by Glenn Beeman, the club veterinary surgeon on the day, who was among those following the field in an ambulance.
"I did what I could but it wasn't enough to help him with the injuries he had," Beeman said.
Others also tried to revive Hewinson.
Although not a prominent jockey, he was a popular figure in Canterbury racing.
He served his apprenticeship in the 1970s with Pat Corboy at Timaru and later rode for the Bevan Laming stable at Riccarton in Christchurch.
In recent years Hewinson had been a freelance rider with limited raceday opportunities, but rode trackwork for the Riccarton stable of Peter and Dawn Williams.
"He was an asset to our stable and will be sadly missed among all racing folk," said Peter Williams.
"Hewy would never do anyone a bad turn. He would talk to you a bit but would be the first to help whenever help was needed.
"We discussed his riding over fences more than once, but he was determined to carry on. He would take on any challenge."
Hewinson's best days in flat racing came in the early 1980s when Tarrion won the Kumara Nuggets and Princess Dan won four feature races in succession, including the Warstep Stakes at Riccarton.
Hewinson also won a feature race at Motukarara on the northern galloper Caterman. He won a hurdle on Heart Of The Desert at Riccarton for his former boss, Pat Corboy, paying more than $150 to win.
One of his regular flat rides of recent times, Mr Wickham, who was to be Hewinson's second ride yesterday, won his race in the hands of a replacement jockey.
Stipendiary steward Stewart Ching said Hewinson's death was a tragic accident.
"The horse misjudged the fence. He took one stride too many and got in too close.
"He hit the top of the fence going over and Ray took a heavy fall.
"The videos we have examined so far do not indicate for sure whether the fatal injury occurred from the fall or from trampling by the other horse," said Ching.
Hilton Jewel had failed to finish in his previous two starts.
- NZPA
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