Jockeys avoid fall as Big Parade breaks down in Missile Stakes

Shock and silence replaced celebrations in the aftermath of I Am Me's strong Group 2 success at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare's best ever win in the Missile Stakes (1200m) was marred by a shocking incident that resulted in the death of comeback galloper Big Parade.

Top riders Josh Parr and James McDonald were lucky to stay in the saddle after Parr's mount Big Parade went amiss midway up the straight.

Parr had Big Parade travelling outside the speed when disaster struck.

Under duress the gelding laid in, nearly putting the James McDonald-ridden Golden Mile through the fence.

Both Parr and McDonald did amazing jobs to stay aboard and took no further part in the race.

READ: Saturday racing in review

"I've never been so close to coming down and not coming down," McDonald said.

Big Parade was euthanised due to a suspected fractured shoulder.

A placegetter in the Group 1 The Galaxy in 2022, Big Parade was having his maiden start for trainer Joseph Pride and first run in more than a year in the first feature of the season.

Pride told Racing NSW Stewards that Big Parade had previously had an injury to his hind fetlock but had no previous shoulder issues.

"He was coming to the race a sound horse today," Pride said.

"It's one of those catastrophic injuries where he has put his foot down awkwardly but I don't know exactly what happened but he has certainly not had any previous issues with his shoulders."

Terrible for the Big Parade connections, and amazing horsemanship from those riders (especially J-Mac on Golden Mile) to be aware of what was happening, could have been way worse #Missle

- Richard Haynes (@Haynsie75) August 5, 2023

Thoughts go out to connections of Big Parade, hate to see it in our great sport

- Chris Camilleri (@ChrisCamiller1) August 5, 2023

Big Parade 😪 bloody good horse and has unfortunately broken down #Rosehill

- Trent Marks (@_TrentMarks) August 5, 2023

Thoughts with Big Parade, Josh & all involved.
ðŸ˜-

- Trev (@TrevPunter) August 5, 2023

Trainer James Cummings confirmed Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile had pulled up fine despite copping heavy interference in the run.

I Am Me was able to avoid the drama to win.

Jockey Tim Clark used barrier one to take up the ascendancy and expertly controlled proceedings from the top of the field.

I Am Me ($2.40 fav) had kicked a length clear by the time the incident unfolded before showing a strong turn of speed to beat the Pride-trained Dragonstone ($26) by 1-3/4 lengths with Adam Campton‘s Deepour ($17) was third.

"She was great but it not a great feeling coming back to that," Clark said.

"She stepped well enough and Big Parade was never going to be able to burst away lead me comfortable.

"I was just able to do enough [to hold the lead] without firing her up and once we got on the circle she came back and got control.

"A mare with her talent and that weight once she got control, she was always going to be hard to beat."

I Am Me was having her first run this preparation following a stellar campaign last summer where he won four straight in Sydney including the Listed Canterbury Sprint.

The stable is hoping she can put her name in the frame for another Group 1 tilt this spring after she was tested when finishing seventh in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate in March.

Meanwhile, there was another tragedy at Flemington when First In Line collapsed soon after winning the VRC Barbara Stephens Trophy (2530m) in a tight finish over Alhambara Lad.

Vets rushed to treat First In Line but the gelding had already died of a suspected heart attack when they arrived on the scene.

First In Line was transported to the University of Melbourne veterinary clinic for an autopsy in line with Racing Victoria procedure.

"It's hard not to break down when you see any horse pass away," jockey Blake Shinn said.

"But when a horse puts in a performance like First In Line did, he just put his heart on the line for me.

"It's tragic and my respect goes to everyone involved with the horse."

Shinn needed to quickly regroup to ride Shaiyhar in the Simon Green Plate (2000m) for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young and complete a winning double.

- additional reporting by Brad Waters