Two of Australia’s best jockeys, Jamie Kah and Craig Williams, were extremely lucky to avoid serious injury in a shocking race fall at Flemington on Saturday.
Kah was knocked unconscious when she was speared into the turf after her mount, Flyball, clipped the heels of eventual winner Veight halfway through the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
Paramedics assessed Kah on the track as she drifted in and out of consciousness before she improved enough to communicate with medical personnel.
Williams sustained a fractured collarbone (clavicle), one or two broken ribs, fractured finger and concussion after being dislodged from Dubenenko, who tripped over the fallen Flyball.
He was taken to The Alfred hospital and tweeted late on Saturday night from his bed.
Kah, who leads the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership, went to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for further assessment.
She was later cleared of any fractures or brain injury but remains heavily concussed and sedated.
Both horses were galloped on, having sustained only minor abrasions.
Vets will reinspect Flyball and Dubenenko on Sunday morning.
Victorian Jockeys’ Association boss Matt Hyland said Kah suffered a “pretty severe” head knock.
“Both riders have suffered a head knock, particularly Jamie,” Hyland said.
“She was unconscious for a period of time but thankfully is conscious now.
“It appears as though everything else seems OK.”
The VJA will provide another update on Sunday.
Saturday’s dramatic fall was the second in consecutive meetings at Flemington.
Rising star jockey Ethan Brown remains at the Royal Melbourne recovering from his internal injuries sustained last Saturday.
The latest incident has shaken the close-knit Victorian racing community, especially its riding cohort.
When races resumed after a 40-minute delay, Kah’s partner, fellow jockey Ben Melham, rode the next winner and stood down from the remainder of the meeting to join his girlfriend at the hospital.
“I’m going to put the cue in the rack for the day and just make sure she is all right,” Melham said.
“It’s just a reminder of how dangerous the job can be, the last week or so, but right now winners are not important as long as everyone is OK.”
In Secret, coincidently Kah’s would-be ride in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap, powered away with $1.5m Flemington feature.
Jockey Dean Holland, who rode In Secret, muted his Group 1 celebrations in an acknowledgment of the circumstances.
“The last thing I wanted to do today, win, lose or draw (was carry on). It’s very unfortunate what happened to Jamie and Willo,” Holland said.
“My thoughts go out to them, I was just the lucky one able to ride light today and pick up the ride on one of Australia’s best sprinters.”
Stewards heard evidence from multiple jockeys, some of whom shuddered at seeing the side-on footage of the incident for the first time, as part of the inquiry into the fall.
Meanwhile, Brown said he was “overwhelmed” by the outpouring of support he has received from friends and the racing industry following last week’s fall.
Brown was riding Maximillius in the Australian Guineas when the horse and another runner, Holymanz ridden by Mark Zahra, fell about 300m from the finish.
Brown was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with internal injuries, including to his liver, after Maximillius rolled on him during the crash.
Zahra escaped the fall with serious injury and both horses survived the incident.
Brown took to Twitter to reassure his followers he was on the mend.
“What a crazy few days it’s been,” he wrote.
“I’m overwhelmed by the amount of support and concern shown towards me.
“I consider myself extremely lucky to say I got thru the other side in one piece and now heading down the road to recovery. Apologies to those I haven’t gotten back to!!”
Brown posted a photo of himself in his hospital bed being hugged by his girlfriend, fellow jockey, Celine Gaudray.
Gaudray also posted a photo of Brown in a wheelchair on Saturday taking in some sun outside his hospital.
– with Brad Waters and Fiona Byrne