A young jockey was tragically killed while racing on the track at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) during the Guyana Cup horse race meet on Sunday.
Kishawn Pereira, 19, was riding Blinding Light in the H Class race over a distance of seven furlongs when the animal reportedly slipped and fell throwing him to the ground, with another horse, American Traveller, at its heels.
American Traveller was being ridden by Jockey Bharrat Ramnarine, who was apparently unable to move the animal away from Pereira, who had fallen to the ground.
The incident happened between the third and fourth furlong poles, during the penultimate race, where nine horses took the starting gate, but by the fifth furlong pole, three riders, including Pereira, were down, with Pereira’s fall being fatal.
Since the incident, some racing fans are calling for a full investigation, with some complaining about the state of the track, while others voiced concerns over the lighting conditions.
Despite the distressing event, organisers decided to allow the last race to be run.
