Don't drop your cigarette into the mane of a horse

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Last Tuesday was Melbourne Cup day and an important day for Australians. It’s been called ‘the (horse) race that stops a nation’. In all the hype and publicity about the day were some random facts and figures about the race and the personalities associated with it. I’ve already written about the lucky event that brought about the birth of one of Tuesday’s runners, Tiberian. You can catch up here: http://www.mylot.com/post/3125294/bruschetta-and-a-horse-called-tiberian One story I wanted to share but I can’t find it now and the details are vague. I THINK it was about a jockey who rode one of the very early winners of the race – and it’s been going since 1861 – and how he met his Maker. I can’t remember the jockey’s name and although I’ve googled using every keyword I can think of, nothing has come up. So this jockey whose name escapes me was later riding a horse and leading another. He dropped his cigarette onto the mane of the horse he was riding and the hair began to burn. He couldn’t get the fire out before the horse panicked and threw him. He landed on his head and died. So an interesting story but now I can’t verify it at all. The photo is of my cousin and I riding in the ‘grand parade’ at our local agricultural show. I’m on the black horse.