It was a terrible incidence and one has to wonder sometimes how and why fate can deal a hand that means a family is forced to go through such a tragedy not once but twice in their lifetime.

I am not attempting to be smart or disrespectful, but this story has gained a larger profile by virtue of the fact that Jason and Damien were brothers....so at this time I would also like to pay my respects to
the families of the other jockeys who have been severely injured or lost their lives in similar incidences....who we may have not paid as much attention to over the years.

I guess the reason I say this is that we often forget that jockeys risk their well-being and life every time they go out to ride. A 50kg man trying to navigate a 525kg animal around a turning track at speeds of over 60km per hour squeezed in amongst numerous others comeptitors doing the same in an attempt to cross the finish line first must surely rate amongst the most dangerous sports in the world.

We often marvel at the bravery of race car drivers and they are indeed brave sportsman. However relatively speaking they have the luxury of being in control of a machine with outstanding safety features that barring severe mechanical failure, responds directly to the actions of the driver.

Jockeys on the other hand have to control an animal that has an instinctive mind of its own, who's behaviour cannot always be predicted or controlled...and they have no protection other than a cap and 1kg vest.

We are all critical of jockeys at some stage and it's a shame that it take a tragedy for us to think about it.....but I think this is an appropriate time for all to reflect on the bravery of the jockeys who help make our chosen sport so great.