Jockey Nooresh Juglall is in a critical condition and on life support after a fall at the Champ de Mars on the opening day of the 2021 racing season on Saturday.
The accident happened as the runners crossed a road over the track in the 990m Gr3 Noble Salute Cup.
Tellytrack racecaller Brandon Bailey immediately labelled the road as the issue – “they will have to do something about that road,” he exclaimed in the heat of the commentary as the shocking incident unfolded.
The Juglall family in a Kranji file pic
Jockey Benny Woodworth, riding Golden Tractor, was also involved in the accident, but thankfully escaped with a a serious elbow injury,.
An MTC report states that after a fight for the lead, Rob Roy (Dinesh Sooful) fell back to the rail after 450m of the race, followed by Virtue (Nabil Batchameah), Kamadeva (Swapneel Rama), Quatro Five Six (Pravesh Horil), Golden Tractor (Benedict Woodworth) and Rule The Night (Nooresh Juglall).
Golden Tractor was new to the Champ de Mars track, and as virtually all first-timers at the course do, he skipped the crossing which is just before the entrance to the final straight.
Nooresh was crowned Champion Apprentice at Equus in 2011
Juglall’s mount Rule The Night which was following Golden Tract could not avoid Golden Tractor and both came down.
They were rushed to the City Clinic.
Nooresh Juglall was unconscious and bleeding profusely. Benedict Woodworth was in excruciating pain in his wrist and elbow, but he was conscious.
Golden Tractor had to be euthanized, having fractured his shoulder.
Soodesh Seesurrun, the Gilbert Rousset team’s assistant told the MTC: “The situation is very alarming. Nooresh is in critical condition. No diagnosis could be made, but I can tell you it’s bad. Benny himself suffered a fracture, but his condition does not cause any concern ”.
Denis Doger de Speville, Director of MTC Sports & Leisure did not hide his concern at the turn of events:
“I know this is a very difficult time for the whole Juglall family but we can only remain optimistic. We are very upset but I hope that his state of health will stabilize and improve gradually during the evening. The MTCSL through its ‘Health and Saftey Officer’ Vikram Guptar is monitoring the situation very closely. Let us all pray that Nooresh will make it through, but I won’t hide from you, I am very concerned. ”
Four jockeys fell during the course of the Champ de Mars opening day.
In the 3rd race, Akash Aucharuz fell on Zigi Zagi Zugi, while in the 6th race apprentice Batchameah fell from Supreme Orator.
Trained at the SA Jockey Academy, Juglall was twice champion apprentice here.
His first ride was on 8 November 2009 on Subtle Beauty for Greg and Karen Anthony at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
His first winner was a pick up ride on 16 March 2010 on Shine the Gold for Roy Magner at Turffontein.
Juglall cited family reasons – he is married and has a child – for ending his Singapore contract in April 2019 after five great years.
