A horse died Saturday afternoon after bucking its jockey at the gate and running full-steam into the winners circle during the sixth race at the Hastings Racecourse.
The horse, named Private Mambo, died shortly after colliding with several barriers that separate spectators from the track.
Witnesses say the horse also struck a security guard, tossing him roughly 10 feet through the air. He was rushed to hospital with unknown injuries.
The jockey, named Geovanni Franco, was not hurt. A spectator sustained minor cuts from shattered glass.
Officials apologized to those who witnessed the disturbing incident, but had few answers about what could have caused the horse's behaviour.
"Our thoughts are with those that witnessed this tragedy, and we have counselors on their way," Howard Blank, vice president of media for the B.C. Lottery Corporation said.
"In all our years at Hastings, this has never happened before. It's probably never happened at any track at all."
There is suspicion the horse's blinkers may have partially blinded him. A team of veterinarians will examine the horse and review video of the race to determine exactly what happened.
Saturday's remaining two races were cancelled, but the track will open again on Sunday.
Do you have photos or video of this incident? Send them to bcassign@ctv.ca with your name.
