AMATEUR jockey Lauren Keen-Hawkins’ partner and family are at her bedside as she remains in critical condition after her ‘horrific’ Worcester fall.
The racing world is praying for a positive update on the 22-year-old after she came crashing down head-first from legendary trainer Kim Bailey’s horse Faerie Cutlass on Sunday.
The former Grand National-winning handler admitted his stable jockey ‘did not look in a good way’ and the Injured Jockeys Fund have released an updated statement on her condition.
It read: “Amateur jockey Lauren Keen-Hawkins had a fall in the last race at Worcester Racecourse on Sunday and was taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
“Lauren has suffered a serious head injury and is now in Critical Care.
“Her parents and partner are with her, and they kindly ask for privacy at this difficult time.”
While the Amateur Jockey Association said in a statement: “It is good to know that she is receiving the best possible medical care and we are most grateful as always for the support of Dr Jerry Hill and also The Injured Jockeys Fund.
“Thanks also to Libby O’Flagherty and the medics at Worcester Racecourse for their expert attention.
“Please say a prayer for Lauren before you go to sleep tonight.”
Bailey also wrote an update in his blog on Tuesday, thanking supporters for their well wishes.
He said: “Thank you all for the kind messages re poor Lauren Hawkins.
“I will pass on in time, but at present I am not able to enlighten you on how she is bar quote the statement that was released by the IJF yesterday.”
Keen-Hawkins was rushed to hospital after the terrible incident three hurdles from the end of the 2m4f race.
The hugely promising young rider was moving into contention on the 10-1 chance when she fell forwards.
Keen-Hawkins is a popular member of former Gold Cup winner Bailey’s yard and 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.”
Keen-Hawkins, who is from Cheltenham, has featured in videos on Bailey’s website promoting his yard.
She has raced four times this calendar year, finishing second on Faerie Cutlass at Worcester on July 25.
