JOCKEY Lauren Keen-Hawkins is fighting for life in hospital after suffering an ‘horrific’ fall at Worcester races.
The amateur rider, 22, fell face-first into the turf after being unseated from trainer Kim Bailey’s 10-1 Faerie Cutlass on Sunday.
Legendary trainer Bailey confirmed Keen-Hawkins had been rushed to hospital after the terrible incident three hurdles from the end of the 2m4f race.
Writing in his blog, Bailey said: “What was a great day at Lord’s with Archie and his mates was ruined by the horrific fall that Faerie Cutlass had at Worcester.
“Lauren Hawkins, who was riding FC, was knocked out and did not look in a good way.
“She was taken to Birmingham Hospital and was last night in ICU… We are all thinking of her and her family.”
Keen-Hawkins is a hugely promising young rider who has tasted success at Cheltenham, the home of jumps racing.
She won a hunters’ chase at the track’s prestigious April meeting in 2022, steering 13-2 Dandy Dan to victory.
Her so-far sole victory in 12 career runs, Keen-Hawkins has ridden mostly for former Grand National-winning handler Bailey.
A post from Worcester races after Keen-Hawkins’ awful tumble read: “From each and every one of us at Worcester, we are wishing Lauren from @kimbaileyracing a speedy and most importantly a full recovery.
“We are all thinking of you and your family right now.”
Speaking to the Racing Post, Bailey, who won the 1995 Gold Cup with Master Oats, added: “She was taken to Birmingham and is in intensive care which is all we know at the moment.
“The ambulance took her there and I’ve not managed to see her.
“She’s not in a great way but it’s difficult as we’re all surmising for now.
“Lauren has been with me for six or seven years, she does all the riding work and schooling and is a really important part of our team.
“She’s been point-to-pointing for years as well and she won at Cheltenham.”
More to follow.
