BREAKING NEWS 5 minutes ago, Three riders taken to hospital, horse dies after horrific accident at Happy Valley that left the entire racetrack in panic after witnessing this horrific accident. Is there a motive behind the intentional

HONG KONG – Chaos erupted at the iconic Happy Valley racetrack tonight as a devastating multi-horse collision in the final stretch of the Class Three St George’s Challenge Cup sent spectators into a frenzy and raised chilling questions about the safety – and integrity – of one of the world’s most glamorous sporting venues.

Just moments ago, emergency services rushed three top jockeys to Queen Mary Hospital following a catastrophic fall that claimed the life of a promising young thoroughbred, leaving the crowd of over 20,000 in stunned silence before pandemonium broke out.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as “nightmarish,” with screams echoing through the neon-lit stands as medical teams swarmed the track.

The incident unfolded around 8:15 p.m. local time during Race 5, a high-stakes 1,000-meter sprint that had drawn heavy betting action.

The favorite, Seasons Wit, a four-year-old gelding trained by Jamie Richards and ridden by South African star Lyle Hewitson, was powering toward victory just 75 meters from the finish line. Suddenly, the horse crumpled, its left fore fetlock shattering in a sickening crack that reverberated across the venue.

Hewitson was catapulted forward, slamming into the turf with bone-jarring force. In the ensuing tangle, Seasons Wit rolled directly into the path of Eternal Fortune, mounted by local apprentice Jerry Chau Chun-lok, and Watch This One, under the guidance of Mauritian veteran Karis Teetan.

Both horses stumbled violently but miraculously stayed upright, though their riders were thrown clear in a heap of limbs and silks.

Paramedics were on the scene within seconds, their sirens piercing the humid night air. Hewitson, 30, was the most severely injured, suffering a confirmed fracture to his right wrist and a suspected break in his left ankle; he remained conscious but in evident agony as he was stretchered away.

Chau, 22, and Teetan, 36, were also hospitalized for precautionary scans – Chau with possible soft-tissue damage to his shoulder and Teetan complaining of back pain and a limp.

All three were reported stable upon arrival at the hospital, but Hewitson faces the prospect of missing the remainder of the Hong Kong season, a devastating blow to his burgeoning career here.

Tragically, Seasons Wit could not be saved. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s veterinary team assessed the horse on-site and made the heartbreaking decision to euthanize him humanely due to the severity of the injury.

Eternal Fortune and Watch This One were promptly transported to the club’s equine hospital for thorough evaluations, with initial reports indicating no life-threatening issues but ongoing monitoring for stress fractures.

The race itself was declared void for the fallen runners, with Superb Capitalist, ridden by Matthew Chadwick, awarded the win after a photo finish with Youthful Spirits.

Happy Valley, nestled in the heart of Causeway Bay amid Hong Kong’s glittering skyline, has long been synonymous with high-octane thrills and substantial fortunes. Established in 1845, the track hosts weekly night meetings that blend British colonial heritage with Asian betting fervor, attracting everyone from suited tycoons to wide-eyed tourists.

But beneath the glamour lies a darker undercurrent: horse racing’s inherent risks. Tonight’s horror evokes memories of past tragedies, including the 2021 Hong Kong Sprint where two horses perished and three jockeys were hospitalized in a similar pile-up.

Over the past decade, the Jockey Club has invested millions in safety measures – from advanced track surfacing to mandatory pre-race veterinary checks – yet incidents like this underscore the sport’s brutal unpredictability.

What has the racing community buzzing – and investigators whispering – is the nagging question of intent. Was this a freak accident, or something more sinister? Seasons Wit, a $1.2 million purchase at the 2023 sales, had shown no prior signs of lameness in recent workouts.

Yet, anonymous sources within the stable whisper of unusual stiffness noted during a gallop two days ago, dismissed as minor by trainers. “It felt off, but who questions the vet’s call?” one groom confided, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Betting patterns are already under scrutiny: sharp money had flooded against Seasons Wit in the final hour before post time, with irregular offshore wagers spiking 300% on longshots. Hong Kong police have launched a preliminary probe, though the Jockey Club insists it’s routine protocol for fatal incidents.

Animal rights advocates wasted no time piling on. PETA Asia, in a statement released just 20 minutes ago, demanded a full forensic autopsy on Seasons Wit and the release of all medical records. “This isn’t racing; it’s legalized cruelty,” said campaign director Dawn Carr.

“If pre-existing conditions were overlooked – or worse, ignored for profit – heads must roll.

We urge authorities to investigate not just the fall, but the systemic failures that put lives at risk.” Their call echoes a broader push for reform, with petitions circulating online already surpassing 50,000 signatures by press time.

Jockeys’ unions are mobilizing too. Teetan, a fan favorite with over 1,200 wins in Hong Kong, issued a brief video from his hospital bed: “We’re warriors out there, but no one signs up for this.

We need answers – for Lyle, for Jerry, for that beautiful horse.” Hewitson’s agent echoed the sentiment, revealing the rider’s family is en route from Johannesburg. The Jockey Club, in a terse update, reaffirmed its commitment to rider welfare, promising a stewards’ inquiry by week’s end.

“Our thoughts are with the riders and connections,” read the statement. “Safety remains paramount.”

As the floodlights dimmed over Happy Valley, the air hung heavy with grief and suspicion. Cleanup crews worked under the watchful eyes of security, while fans milled about in hushed clusters, replaying the footage on their phones. One punter, a regular named Mr.

Leung, captured the collective shock: “I’ve seen spills before, but this… it was like the ground swallowed them. And now, with the whispers of fixed odds? It’s poison for the sport.”

In the coming days, expect a torrent of updates: autopsy results, betting audits, and perhaps depositions from trainers and vets. For now, Hong Kong’s racing heartbeat skips uneasily. Was it misfortune, or malice? The track, once a beacon of excitement, now casts long shadows.

One thing is certain: tonight’s breaking story has ignited a firestorm that could reshape the future of racing in the city that never sleeps.