Jockey who suffered 'horrific' fall at races out of intensive care
Amateur rider Lauren Keen-Hawkins suffered a "serious head injury" when she came off Kim Bailey-trained horse Faerie Cutlass in a hurdle race at Worcester on Sunday
An amateur jockey who suffered a "horrific" fall on the racecourse several days ago is out of intensive care.
Lauren Keen-Hawkins was rushed to hospital after she came off her horse Faerie Cutlass at Worcester on Sunday. The Injured Jockeys' Fund said in a statement that the 22-year-old, who works for trainer Kim Bailey in Gloucestershire, had a "serious head injury."
Several colleagues, including yard assistant Mat Nicholls and jockey David Bass, have been to see her at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Bailey wrote on his daily blog: "Mat went to Birmingham to visit Lauren Hawkins yesterday and was pleased to see how she looked.
"Lauren has been moved out of ICU and into a ward and although still not fully conscious she does seem to recognise voices and mentioned the odd words. She is improving and although she has a long way to go the signs are positive.
"I must say again how wonderful the Injured Jockeys Fund and their team have been to Lauren's family. Their support has been brilliant and hugely appreciated."
Following the incident, screens were put up while Keen-Hawkins was given assistance by the on-course team. A spokesperson for the West Midlands Air Ambulance said they were called to the track at 5.26pm, 15 minutes after the start of the 2m 4f race.
Faerie Cutlass was four lengths off the leader and racing into contention when he came down at the third last obstacle. Keen-Hawkins was pictured with the horse's owners before the five-minute contest which had ten jumps.
From nine appearances under rules, the 7lb-claiming amateur has had one winner, in a hunters' chase at Cheltenham. It was provided by Dandy Dan in 2022, a thoroughbred formerly trained by Bailey at Andoversford stables in the Cotswolds.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Injured Jockeys Fund said: “Amateur jockey Lauren Keen-Hawkins had a fall in the last race at Worcester Racecourse and was taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Lauren has suffered a serious head injury and is in critical care. Her parents and partner are with her and they kindly ask for privacy at this difficult time.”
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