This Saturday’s frightening pile-up during a race left two of Australia’s top jockeys seriously hurt and confined to the hospital.
After being “speared” into the ground during the Sires Produce Stakes race in Melbourne’s Racecourse, Jamie Kah, 27, is still in “severe condition” there.
Kah’s steed Flyball crashed to the ground after falling, knocking Craig Williams, 45, and his steed Dubeneko to the ground as well.
Although both horses stood up off the ground right away following their terrible falls, their jockeys remained out on the ground.
The two were transferred to Royal Melbourne Hospital by emergency personnel who arrived on the scene quickly.
Videos showing an unconscious Man being taken into an ambulance while receiving oxygen have been circulated.
After sustaining a “serious” concussion, Kah allegedly stays sedated “to keep her comfortable,” but has been found to be brain-damage free, according to Racenet.
According to reports, Williams has been released from the hospital and is still awake and able to communicate.
The jockey suffered a broken collarbone, a broken finger, and two broken ribs.
Williams is seen in a snapshot uploaded from the hospital with his hand raised in a thumbs-up, his body encircled in wires.
“It is a dangerous sport and occupation and unfortunately these things do happen, but luckily we’ve got support and the right people around.
“Every jockey, as much as we’re so competitive on the race track you can see the love and affection for their fellow riders.”
Looking back on the awful event, Williams reported: “I saw a flash to my inside in front and next minute I saw the incident as I was going past, I thought ‘oh feels like I’ve gone past it’ and then tripped my horse’s legs up.
“I remember descending fast into the turf.”
After winning a race, Kah’s jockey lover Ben Melham hurried to her hospital bedside to comfort her.
That serves as a reminder of how hazardous this job may be, the 35-year-old stated.
“Right now, winners are not important, as long as everyone is OK.”
