Coroner urges tighter rules for injured racehorses after jockey's fatal fall
A coroner has called for stricter reporting and oversight of horses returning from injury following the death of apprentice jockey Marina Morel in New South Wales.
During a track work session at Gulgong Racecourse on February 8, 2022, apprentice jockey Marina Morel was thrown from Lina's Choice when the mare suffered a severe leg injury and rolled onto her, causing fatal blunt-force trauma. The horse was euthanised at the venue and Morel died four days later at Westmead Hospital. An inquest led by Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee concluded that the mare’s prior ligament injury had been handled appropriately and that there was no evidence linking it to the stress fracture that caused the accident.
Nevertheless, the coroner urged Racing NSW to issue more precise guidance on what constitutes a major orthopaedic injury, broaden reporting requirements for trainers, and formalise the rule that horses absent for 150 days undergo a veterinary exam, possibly lowering the interval to 60 days. Racing NSW has said it will consider the recommendations. Morel’s family participated in the hearing remotely from France.
Why it matters
The case could prompt tighter safety rules for racehorses, potentially preventing future jockey fatalities.
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