Man kicked by racehorse dies

File photo / APN

A Waikato stable is mourning the loss of a stablehand who has died after being kicked by a top New Zealand racehorse on Saturday.

It is understood Blair Busby, 37, suffered a ruptured spleen when leading mare Katie Lee kicked him while in the stalls area during the Hawke's Bay spring carnival race meeting in Hastings.

Katie Lee went on to win the Traderacks Stakes.

Mr Busby was taken to hospital, but died from his injuries yesterday afternoon.

His employer, Te Akau Stud, said on its website: "It is with deep distress that we advise the passing of our beloved team member.

"We cannot begin to tell you how devastated we all are today.

"Blair had been so excited to accompany Icepin to the Hawke's Bay races on Saturday. Even more excited when Icepin ran such a super race for second in the Group 2 Hawke's Bay Guineas.

"As he walked Icepin around, he was unfortunately severely kicked by another horse.

"St John's medics attended to him and he was sent to Hastings Hospital.

"We knew he had been hurt and badly bruised but his condition deteriorated dramatically over Sunday and Monday - complications led to a serious stroke and he was placed in an induced coma, on a ventilator."

He died yesterday surrounded by members of his family who had been at his bedside since the weekend.

Hasting police are investigating the circumstances of the accident, and the matter has been referred to the coroner.

- NZPA