Japanese jockey dies in training accident at Sonoda racecourse

Japanese jockey Kosuke Matsumoto has died after a training incident on Monday morning. 

The 43-year-old was riding work at Sonoda racecourse in Amagasaki City at around 5.50am when a horse on the way back to the stables bolted and crashed into Matsumoto's mount and another horse, according to the Hyogo Prefectural Horse Racing Association.

The collision resulted in three riders hitting the ground and Matsumoto was knocked unconscious. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical condition and later the association announced he had died.

A moment of silence was held in Matsumoto's honour before the track's three-day meeting, which started on Tuesday.

Amagasaki police are investigating the incident and said Matsumoto was taken to hospital in cardiopulmonary arrest and did not regain consciousness. The other two riders escaped with minor injuries.

Matsumoto rode 261 winners on the National Association of Racing circuit, a group of tracks owned by local governments. In contrast, many of Japan's biggest tracks such as Tokyo are owned by the Japan Racing Association.