Oisin Murphy’s horse dies at Ascot as jockey is hospitalised after rough fall and stewards postpone enquiry

Oisin Murphy was caught in a nightmare at Ascot on Friday, September 5, 2025, when his horse, Excellent Echo, crashed to the ground just one furlong from the finish. The three-year-old broke a leg and died on the track despite quick help from vets and a horse ambulance. Murphy escaped without injury, but another jockey, Sam James, who rode Nordic Norm, was taken to hospital after he too fell during the same race. The seventh race of the day ended in tragedy as officials stopped their enquiry until both riders were cleared.Osin Murphy’s horse, Excellent Echo, clipped the heels of Dannick, the runner-up, in the closing stages. The fall was so heavy that black screens were put up while vets tried to help the stricken horse. Excellent Echo, trained by Dominic Ffrench Davis, could not be saved and died on the spot.Murphy got back on his feet quickly and walked away from the scene. Nordic Norm, ridden by Sam James, also came down in the same incident. While the horse suffered only cuts and scratches, James stayed on the ground for several minutes before medical staff stretchered him into a waiting ambulance. A spokesperson for Ascot confirmed that James was conscious when he was taken to hospital for more checks.The stewards at Ascot said they wanted to look into two separate incidents from the seventh race. The first was possible interference near the one-furlong marker involving the winner Forty Years On, ridden by Callum Shepherd; Nordic Norm, which was brought down under Sam James; and Tactical Plan, ridden by Jim Crowley.Also Read: Former Tennis Star Anna Kournikova Spotted In Miami After Surprise Pregnancy At 44 With Enrique Iglesias RevealedThe second enquiry was meant to examine the fall of Excellent Echo under Oisin Murphy after clipping Dannick. But with James in hospital and Murphy still under medical assessment, the stewards postponed both enquiries to a later date.An Ascot spokesperson said, “Unfortunately following an incident during the seventh race today, Excellent Echo suffered a fatal injury. His jockey, Oisin Murphy, walked in and was fine. Nordic Norm was taken to the stables for further assessment with cuts and scratches. His jockey, Sam James, was conscious and treated by medical teams on the track and has been transferred to hospital for further assessment.”