JOCKEY Christophe Lemaire has been rushed to hospital after a fatal fall on the Dubai World Cup card.
The 44-year-old rider suffered a sickening spill from Catnip, who sadly had to be put down afterwards, in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan.
Christophe Lemaire was rushed to hospital after his fall and replaced by Oisin Murphy on huge Dubai World Cup favourite Derma SotogakeGetty
Catnip sadly had to be put down after suffering an injury in the Dubai TurfReuters
A statement from Dubai Racing Club confirmed: “Jockey Christophe Lemaire has been taken to hospital for further evaluation following a fall in race 7.
“Stood down from last two rides.”
A following update was issued confirming the extent of his injuries.
The statement read: “Update on Christophe Lemaire: broken collar bone and rib.”
It means he missed the huge ride on long-time World Cup 7-2 favourite Derma Sotogake – where victory was worth £5.5million.
Former British champion jockey Oisin Murphy got the ride in his place – a huge sign of trust in the Irish rider.
Lemaire was also due to ride Stars On Earth in the Sheema Classic at 4pm – but was replaced by Frankie Dettori.
Murphy was unable to make the most of his promotion, with Derma Sotogake finishing a disappointing sixth after going off second-favourite in the end.
Veteran Irish jockey Tadhg O’Shea stole the show with a simply breathtaking win on 9-1 Laurel River.
Catnip, a five-year-old gelding, sadly broke down entering the final stretch of the 1m1f Turf.
Despite every effort of vets on the racecourse he could not be saved.
Lemaire was shown on TV being stretchered off the track and put into the back of an ambulance.
His terrible accident came in the race before Sir Alex Ferguson went for a £2.7million win in the Sheema Classic.
His wonderhorse Spirit Dancer was up against former Epsom Derby hero Auguste Rodin, who had been smashed into 11-8 favourite.
However, there was a shock as William Buick and Charlie Appleby had the winner with rogue 28-1 outsider Rebel’s Romance.
Sir Alex was forced to walk away empty-handed after his horse finished second-last, with Dettori on Stars On Earth finishing eighth of 12.
Before that, Facteur Cheval was the head-bobbing winner of the Turf in a thriller with Namur.
Dettori was disappointed in his bid for a fourth straight win in the race on Lord North, finishing eighth.
“}]]