Amateur jockey, 22, fighting for her life after 'horrific' fall at Worcester races
Amateur rider Lauren Keen-Hawkins, 22, fell face-first into the turf after being unseated from Kim Bailey-trained horse Faerie Cutlass in Sunday's final race of seven at Worcester
![Amateur jockey, 22, fighting for her life after 'horrific' fall at Worcester races](https://europe.easybranches.com/uploads/news/2024/09/6754936.jpg)
Promising amateur jockey Lauren Keen-Hawkins is in intensive care after suffering a fall at Worcester races.
The 22-year-old fell heavily when she was unseated from her thoroughbred Faerie Cutlass at the third last obstacle. Trainer Kim Bailey described the incident as "horrific" after staff at the course rushed to her aid.
Cheltenham-winning rider Keen-Hawkins was airlifted to hospital from the track on Sunday where she remains in a serious condition.
Writing in his daily blog this morning, Bailey said: "What was a great day at Lord’s with Archie and his mates was ruined by the horrific fall that Faerie Cutlass had at Worcester. Lauren Hawkins, who was riding FC, was knocked out and did not look in a good way. She was taken to Birmingham Hospital and was last night in ICU… We are all thinking of her and her family."
Keen-Hawkins' victory at Cheltenham, the home of jump racing, came on Dandy Dan at the 2022 hunter chase fixture.
It was her first ride under rules on the horse, trained by Grand National and Gold Cup-winning handler Bailey in Gloucestershire before he switched to the amateur circuit from James Bourne's care.
Keen-Hawkins has had 11 rides since the win and yesterday she was making her second appearance of the year.
Screens were put up at the course, next to the River Severn, while the 7lb claimer was given medical assistance after its concluding hurdle race.
![Lauren Keen-Hawkins riding Dandy Dan at Cheltenham](https://i2-prod.irishmirror.ie/incoming/article33584673.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_PAY-racingfotos_79938436493.jpg)
A statement from the Amateur Jockeys Association said: "All our thoughts are with Lauren and her family. It's good to know that she is receiving the best possible medical care and we are most grateful as always for the pastoral care given by the IJF (Injured Jockeys Fund). We all hope and pray for Lauren’s speedy recovery."
A tweet from Worcester races read: "From each and every one of us at Worcester, we are wishing Lauren from @kimbaileyracing a speedy and most importantly a full recovery."