Horse killed, spectators injured in horror race accident

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Four spectators have been injured and a champion horse killed after a shocking accident during a hurdles race in France.

Footage of the incident shows Fin March, ridden by jockey Kegan Deniel, swerve dramatically before crashing through a barrier in the final straight at Nantes Racecourse.

The horse was out in front when it bolted straight into the safety barrier, crashing through the fencing and ploughing into a group of onlookers.

The jockey injured his knee after being thrown several metres and is now recovering in hospital. An elderly man was reportedly among four spectators also taken to hospital.

Connections of the horse were sadly forced to make the tough decision to put it down after it suffered a brain haemorrhage.

It is unknown why the horse careened off course.