Bendigo trackwork death?

Sadly a female trackrider in her 40s has passed away after falling from a horse at Bendigo racecourse at 9.45 this morning

3blindmice wrote: Too many, too young. Very sad

and mostly female

Sorry to hear of another terrible accident, hope all that was possible was done re the paramedics attendance, the timeline especially will tell.

what a rotten day :( How sad :(

An incident at the Bendigo Racecourse on Tuesday morning has claimed the life of rider Donna Philpot.

It is understood Philpot was taking part in barrier work around 9:00am when her horse suffered an injury and stumbled, WorkSafe said.

The rider then fell to the ground and was struck by her horse.

Police said in a statement Ambulance Victoria was called to the scene but Philpot could not be saved.

Philpot was a veteran rider in North Queensland before moving to Bendigo in 2014 with husband Gus, a trainer and former jockey, and their two daughters Jessie and Montana.

She retired from race riding before moving to Victoria due to injuries, but continued riding trackwork for her husband and other Bendigo-based trainers as a registered stable employee.

A lightweight jockey, Philpot was the first female rider to win the Cairns Amateur Cup.

She rode for the final time on Melbourne Cup day 2013 after a long career in the saddle,

Daughter Jessie has followed in the footsteps of her parents, with the move south allowing her to participate in the Racing Victoria Training Program and is currently on a three-month loan with the Canberra-based training partnership of Keith Dryden and Scott Collings.

RV Chief Executive Giles Thompson said Philpot was much loved in the racing community.

“On behalf of the Victorian racing industry, I would like to extend our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to Donna’s family and friends on the news of her passing as a result of a tragic accident at trackwork this morning," Mr Thompson said.

“Donna devoted much of her life to thoroughbred racing and was a loved and valued member of the racing community. Her sad passing will be felt by many within the industry."

Bendigo Jockey Club chief executive Aaron Hearps said a WorkSafe investigation had commenced into the incident.

“This was a tragic accident and one that has deeply saddened all at the Bendigo Jockey Club and our local racing community," Mr Hearps said.

"WorkSafe have commenced an investigation into the incident and the Club will afford them every support in doing so."

The BJC and RV are working together to support the family, local racing community and industry employees with counselling at this sad time.

That is bloody awful, I just hope she didn't suffer.

What the? I assumed it would have to be mandatory to have an ambulance on course?
Minutes and seconds can be everything in accidents

Gee how sad. Rest in peace and condolences to her family. Incredibly sad and tragic.

Gee, I remember Gus Philpot .     Very tragic for all the family and wider community.

Sad news and horrified to hear about the ambulance situation.

Gus rode Fine Cotton from memory

My condolences to the family, a tragic loss that's becoming too frequent RIP.

Majella Mary Ballantine The attraction to racing clubs in running jumpouts is that Ambulance presence is not compulsory. Im not sure what the risk difference is between trials and jumpouts Fran Houlahan. In fact I would think that jumpouts - with the provision that trackriders of varying levels of capabilities are allowed to ride - would be of a higher risk. My belief is that it is in RV's best interest and it is their expectation of trainers that horses turn up to the races educated. Therefore RV should be paying for Ambulance and barrier attendants. It should not be left to the discretion of the club, many of whom concentrate on the bottom line and forgo Ambulance presence. Not only does this create a high risk environment, but exposes the club to possible liability. Surely with a $15 million profit, RV could do that much.

If the barriers were on track ( and that's a gimme ) imo it's all part of trackwork and a medical team should be in attendance until the track is CLOSED for the morning!

I'm really surprised by this- I would think it was mandatory to have barrier assistance and ambulance available.. Is it a formality (ie. They don't consider it 'official' jumpouts so don't supply them?) or does it cost a lot to have them on site? Not that cost should be an excuse as said by others

$700 for what? An hour? For a medic, or a real ambulance?