Update on ‘knocked out and battered’ jockey after horrific face-first fall forced Fakenham races to be abandoned
‘KNOCKED out and battered’ jockey Gearoid Harney will leave hospital today after his horrific face-first fall forced Fakenham to be abandoned.
The 23-year-old conditional smashed into the turf when Micronormous slipped on a bend during a mares’ handicap chase.
The rest of Sunday’s meeting was called off after Harney was rushed to hospital with a head injury.
Trainer David Pipe posted an update on his condition on Monday morning.
Pipe said: “Thank you for your kind thoughts and wishes for jockey Gearoid Harney.
“Although he was knocked out and is battered and bruised he is being allowed out of hospital and will be OK with some rest, these jockeys are made of strong stuff.”
The decision was taken to cancel the final race on the card – which was scheduled for 3.50pm – due to the rapidly depleting light and use of medical personnel.
Clerk of the course David Hunter said: “In the penultimate race on the final circuit there was a nasty fall on flat and a result of that a jockey hit the ground hard.
“He had to be dealt with by two doctors and two paramedic ambulances and when they stabilised him so he could head to hospital we were really up against it with the light that was left.
“He needed doctors attending him and a paramedic ambulance, therefore we wouldn’t have had enough medical cover because it was being used to treat him after his fall.”
“Gearoid has suffered a head injury and was stabilised and sent off to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
“It was important that we didn’t set the ball rolling without enough time or light so it was the only professional decision we could make.”
The stewards’ report into the incident read: “Gearoid Harney, the rider of Micronormous, had fallen on the bend entering the back straight on the second circuit.
“After viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that there was possible interference resulting in Micronormous falling.
“Harney was unable to be interviewed following the incident and therefore the enquiry was adjourned till a later date.”
The rookie rider came close to another serious incident on Friday last week when he was caught running round the track during a race.
Harney had his headphones on and was oblivious to the horses thundering past him at Market Rasen.
He said after his near-miss: “I was mistaken but thankfully there was no harm done. It was close enough and too close for comfort. I don’t think they’ll be forgetting that one in a hurry!”
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