French apprentice jockey dies after fall in race
November 29, 2011PARIS (AP) - The French Jockeys Association says a 21-year-old apprentice jockey has died after falling during a race.
Benjamin Boutin was riding Game Of Legs in an apprentices' race at Argentan in Normandy on Saturday when he fell after being accidentally blocked by another rider.
French Jockeys Association President Ronan Thomas told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Frenchman ``died on Monday, but after his fall he was already in a deep coma. (It was) irreversible.''
Thomas says no blame should be attached to the rider who caused Boutin's fall because it was ``totally accidental.''
Jockeys will wear black armbands at upcoming races and the jockeys' association will ask for a racing prize to be named in honor of Boutin.