Jumps racing reeling as death rocks start to new season

The new Victorian jumps racing season has copped a huge hit on its opening day with a death in the first steeplechase of the season at Warrnambool.

Victoria’s 2020 jumping season has got off to a disastrous start with the death of fencer Unabashed at Warrnambool.

Contesting the first steeplechase of the season, the eight-year-old gelding fell at the first obstacle.

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His trainer, and champion jockey, Steven Pateman tweeted post-race: “We lost a family member today. Unabashed….may he have wings.”

Racing Victoria stewards reported Unabashed “when negotiating the first obstacle landed awkwardly on the heels of Newbury and fell.

Gobstopper (right) makes ground along the rails as he reels in Danzadoozie at Warrnambool.

“Unabashed was unable to be saved by veterinary staff after falling,” the stewards’ report said.

“The incident will be referred to the Equine Welfare and Veterinary Department and to the Jumps Review Panel.”

Jockey Paul Hamblin was unhurt.

The fall was the third in nine jumps starts for Unabashed.

The Warrnambool meeting is the first of 19 jumps meetings scheduled from March until August.

A total of 61 jumps races — 39 hurdles and 22 steeplechases — have been programmed.

Two hurdle races at Warrnambool passed without incident.

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The Eric Musgrove-trained Gobstopper on his way to winning the first hurdles race of the new season.

Originally published as Jumps racing reeling as death rocks start to new season