The New Year`s very first Sunday brought in sad news for the Indian racing fraternity. In three separate incidents spaced two days apart at three different racing centers, one talented young apprentice rider, Jitendra Singh, lost his life; another promising youngster, Yash Narredu, broke his collarbone; and yet another experienced rider, Irvan Singh, landed in the intensive care unit of a hospital. All three were victims of racetrack falls during live racing.

First fall

It began in Chennai on the first day of the new year. In the sixth race of the card, a horse named Chaitanya stumbled when racing in mid-bunch, bringing down his rider Irvan Singh. Racing alongside Chaitanya was Royal Commander, ridden by ace Indian rider P Trevor. Royal Commander reacted sharply after watching the accident, abruptly shying away from the falling horse and jockey, throwing P Trevor off the saddle. While Irvan is presently recuperating in the intensive care unit of a Chennai hospital, Trevor, who could be seen holding onto the reins despite being unseated, luckily escaped unhurt after hitting the ground.