Officials at Fort Erie Race Track made the decision to cancel the last live race at the track on Sunday (June 26) after a serious incident that resulted in a Thoroughbred being euthanized and a horseman being sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

An article by niagarathisweek.com states that the incident happened before Race 8. The horse involved in the incident got away from its jockey and ended up collided with the horseman at a nearby fence.

On-track veterinarians were forced to euthanize the horse due to the extent of its injuries.

The identity of the horseman that was injured in the situation has not been made public through the mainstream media, but is has been reported the horseman is in his mid 60s and is a resident of Toronto.

The niagarathisweek.com article states that Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics tended to the horseman before transporting him to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo where he remains in critical condition.

The article concludes by stating that Ministry of Labour is investigating the situation. The scene was also investigated by the Niagara Regional Police criminal investigations branch and the forensic services unit.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of the euthanized Thoroughbred, and in offering the injured horseman a speedy and complete recovery from his injuries.

(With files from niagarathisweek.com)