Andre Cosse

French amateur Andre Marie Georges Cosse, whose home was at Manor Lamalgae-Latil, Pont du Cap, Brun, Toulon, France, came to England to ride Vetiver  in the Inter Allied Steeplechase at Sandown Park on March 12, 1921.

Attempting to jump the open fence, Vetiver took off too soon and caught its fetlocks in the top of the jump. He fell, pitching Monsieur Cosse over his head. The unfortunate jockey landed on his stomach before turning a somersault. His horse, recovering itself, struck him on the face with its hind leg. Cosse was immediately removed to the field hospital where Dr Devigny, resident officer, ascertained that he had fractured his spine. 

There was, the doctor stated, no hope of his recovery from the first. Suffering from slow asphyxia from paralysis, he gradually sank, succumbing to his injuries on Thursday, March 31.

At the inquest held at the French Hospital, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, his brother, Joseph Adolph, stated that Andre Cosse was a 27-year-old bachelor who was a lieutenant in the 9th French Cuirassiers. A verdict of 'Accidental death' was recorded.