“The worst moment in my racing career”: Suspension handed down after fatal Perth Cup fall
Joseph Azzopardi has admitted fault in the fatal fall that caused the Perth Cup to be abandoned on Sunday, with the jockey describing the moment as the worst in his racing career.
Azzopardi was suspended for six weeks by stewards after pleading guilty to careless riding for his role in the fall at Ascot on New Year’s Day.
In a hearing on Monday morning, footage played by stewards showed Azzopardi allowing Buster Bash to shift ground in the leadup to the fall.
The move causes Chili Is Hot to fall, with the horse suffering fatal injuries. Dom To Shoot also fell after being at the back of the pack and attempting to jump Chili Is Hot, however, escaped with only abrasions.
Azzopardi, 27, has ridden over 600 winners in his riding career and told the hearing: “It is the worst moment in my racing career,” per The West.
“It was not intentional and I was trying to control Buster Bash, who was riding waywardly.”
Horses did not complete the race as stewards acted quickly to call it off, with the Perth Cup to be re-run on January 14.