Runaway horse crashes, forcing cancellation of two races

A horrific accident involving a runaway horse in the sixth race at Hastings on Saturday forced the cancellation of the last two races.

Private Mombo stumbled badly and lost her rider, Geovanni Franco, coming out of the starting gate. When Private Mombo stumbled, her blinkers and the cones she was wearing came over her head, and she appeared to be blinded. Private Mombo started running out of control and ran full speed into the atrium that is adjacent to the winner's enclosure.

Dave Dahl, a member of the security department at Hastings, was in the atrium and was injured. After being administered to by paramedics, he was reportedly conscious and was taken to a local hospital for observation. Private Mombo died instantly.

Management at Hastings, the stewards, and representatives from the local Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association agreed to cancel the two remaining races. The races will be rescheduled.