In the high-pressure world of elite horse racing, glory and heartbreak often exist side by side. On October 19, 2024, at Royal Randwick in Sydney, spectators witnessed one of the most emotional and unforgettable moments in recent racing history.
Champion sprinter Think About It collapsed during the Sydney Stakes after suffering a catastrophic internal hemorrhage. What happened next — as jockey Jason Collett risked his own safety to comfort the fallen horse — stunned thousands in attendance and millions watching online.
This is the full story of courage, compassion, and the powerful bond between horse and rider.
A Champion Called “Spud”: The Rise of Think About It
Before tragedy struck, Think About It had already secured his place among Australia’s elite racehorses.
Affectionately nicknamed “Spud,” the Australian-bred gelding rose from modest midweek competition to the pinnacle of the sport in 2023. Trained by Joe Pride and owned by Proven Thoroughbreds, the six-year-old became a fan favorite thanks to his explosive acceleration and relentless finishing power.
His defining achievement came when he won the $20 million The Everest — Australia’s richest race — at Royal Randwick. The victory cemented his status as one of the nation’s premier sprinters.
By the time he lined up in the 2024 Sydney Stakes, Think About It had amassed 11 wins from just 19 starts. Few could have predicted that the race would mark a turning point in his life.
Disaster at the Sydney Stakes
The Sydney Stakes, a Group 2 sprint over 1400 meters, began like any other high-stakes race. The field thundered down the track as thousands of spectators filled the grandstands on Everest Day.
Then, in a horrifying instant, Think About It faltered.
Positioned toward the rear of the field, the gelding suddenly collapsed mid-stride, throwing Jason Collett to the turf. Gasps rippled through the crowd as the powerful horse lay sprawled on the track.
Blood streamed from his nostrils — a visible sign of a massive pulmonary hemorrhage, a life-threatening internal bleeding episode in racehorses.
The atmosphere shifted from excitement to shock within seconds.
Jason Collett’s Split-Second Decision
When Collett hit the ground, he had only moments to react.
Other horses were still racing past at full speed. The risk of being struck was real. He had no time to assess his own injuries.
Yet instead of scrambling to safety, the 33-year-old jockey immediately ran back toward his fallen mount.
Video footage that later went viral shows Collett kneeling beside Think About It, gently cradling the horse’s head, stroking his face, and speaking softly in an attempt to calm him.
It was a deeply human moment in the middle of chaos.
Observers described the act as incredibly dangerous. The horse was distressed, flailing his legs in pain. The track was still active. Collett himself later revealed he had sustained a shoulder injury in the fall.
But in that moment, his focus was singular: the welfare of his horse.
A Miraculous Stabilization
Veterinary teams rushed onto the track within minutes.
Initial assessments confirmed the severity of the pulmonary hemorrhage. Internal bleeding of this magnitude can quickly become fatal in thoroughbreds. Many feared the worst.
Remarkably, Think About It stabilized enough to be assisted off the course. The crowd, which had fallen into stunned silence, watched anxiously as he was carefully guided away.
Connections later described the outcome that day as miraculous.
Trainer Joe Pride admitted the horse had “cheated death.” Many credited Collett’s calm intervention with preventing further panic that could have worsened the internal damage.
Shortly afterward, the decision was made to retire Think About It from racing permanently. His health would take priority over competition.
The Bond Between Jockey and Horse
In interviews following the incident, Jason Collett explained his reaction simply.
“My first thought was to make sure he was okay.”
For outsiders, horse racing can appear transactional — speed, prize money, and prestige dominating headlines. But within the sport, jockeys and horses often form profound partnerships built on trust and repetition.
A jockey entrusts his safety to a 500-kilogram animal traveling at high speed. The horse relies on the rider for guidance and control. Over time, that relationship deepens into something far more emotional.
Collett’s actions that day became a powerful symbol of that connection.
Life After Racing
Following retirement, Think About It transitioned into a quieter life under the care of fellow jockey Sam Clipperton, arranged by Proven Thoroughbreds.
Fans were relieved to see the champion enjoying a peaceful existence away from the racetrack. For a time, it seemed the story would conclude as one of survival and redemption.
But fate had other plans.
A Final Farewell in 2026
In February 2026, tragedy struck again.
Think About It developed severe colic — a common yet potentially fatal condition in horses involving abdominal pain and digestive complications. He underwent surgery at the Randwick Equine Centre and initially appeared to recover.
However, complications arose.
Despite expert veterinary care, his condition deteriorated rapidly. The difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize him to prevent further suffering.
In a heartfelt statement, Proven Thoroughbreds described him as a “once-in-a-lifetime horse” and acknowledged that he “wasn’t able to cheat death twice.”
The news sent shockwaves through the racing community.
Public Reaction and Global Attention
The original footage of Collett comforting Think About It had already drawn widespread attention online. After news of the horse’s passing, the video resurfaced, prompting renewed emotion among fans.
Many described the scene as one of the most poignant images in modern racing history:
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A fallen champion
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A jockey risking his own safety
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A moment of tenderness amid crisis
In an industry often scrutinized for its risks, the incident highlighted something deeper — empathy.
The Legacy of Think About It
Think About It will forever be remembered for:
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Winning The Everest
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His meteoric rise from modest beginnings
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His resilience during a life-threatening hemorrhage
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The unforgettable bond with Jason Collett
While his career included elite victories and millions in prize money, it is perhaps that vulnerable moment on the turf at Royal Randwick that defined his legacy most powerfully.
It revealed the emotional core of the sport.
A Broader Conversation About Racing Safety
The incident also reignited conversations about racehorse welfare, medical risks, and post-career support. Pulmonary hemorrhage, while not uncommon in high-performance horses, remains one of the most feared conditions in racing.
Industry bodies continue investing in veterinary research and track safety improvements to reduce catastrophic injuries.
Moments like this serve as reminders of both the beauty and the inherent dangers within thoroughbred racing.
Courage, Compassion, and Quiet Heroism
In sports, we often celebrate victory — the photo finishes, the trophies, the roaring crowds.
But sometimes, the most powerful moments happen when the cheering stops.
Jason Collett’s instinct to comfort his fallen partner was not rehearsed. It was not strategic. It was human.
And that is why the image endures.
Think About It’s life encapsulated the exhilarating highs and heartbreaking lows of racing. His story reminds us that beneath the spectacle lies something deeply personal: trust between horse and rider.
In the end, it was not just about speed or titles.
It was about compassion in the face of crisis.
And that is why this moment will never be forgotten.
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