AMATEUR jockey Lorna Brooke has been placed in an induced coma and is in a “critical, but stable” condition following a horror fall at Taunton last week.
Brooke received immediate medical attention at the Somerset track following her fall from Orchestrated – who is trained by her mum Lady Susan Brooke – on April 8.
Racing was halted for over an hour while medics attended Brooke, and she was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
She was taken into intensive care where she went under observation and tests for a suspected spinal injury.
But due to complications over the past few days, doctors decided to place her in an induced coma.
A statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) was released on behalf of Brooke’s family on Friday evening, which read: “Amateur jockey Lorna Brooke is currently in intensive care at Southmead Hospital, Bristol.
“Due to various complications this week, she has been placed in an induced coma. She is critical, but stable.
“Her family thank everyone for their good wishes but request privacy at this difficult time.”
Brooke, 37, has ridden 17 winners in Britain and Ireland in her career.
She won the inaugural running of a Ladies Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on Moonlone Lane for trainer Paul Stafford.
Speaking on the day of the incident, Taunton’s clerk of the course Jason Loosemore said: “All our thoughts are with Lorna, racing is irrelevant when incidents like that happen.”
Racing fans have shown their support for the rider on social media.
One said: “Thoughts tonight are very much with Lorna Brooke.
“Whatever life throws at you, it’s always worth remembering others are in far worse situations.”
Another tweeted: “Thinking of Lorna Brooke, she is central in our prayers.”
While another added: “Keep kicking Lorna Brooke, you can win this fight.”
