Female jockey hospitalised after 'horrific fall'
An English jockey has suffered several serious injuries after a nightmare fall during a jumps race at Cheltenham.
Leading the Catesby Handicap Hurdle aboard 18-1 runner Haafapiece, jockey Gina Andrews suffered a broken eye-socket and cheekbone when she was kicked in the face by her mount during the fall.
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Her pain was not over there, suffering a bruised liver as the rest of the field attempted to avoid her lying on the turf as they thundered past.
Andrews was rushed to hospital and is awaiting news as to whether she will require surgery, according to English newspaper The Sun.
Her sister Bridget said the jockey would ‘not be pretty for a few days’, while Andrews herself has since described the fall and the chaos that ensued thereafter.
Gina Andrews stretchered off the track @CheltenhamRaces. Everything crossed. Horrific fall and a silence around the track. 🙏
— Matt Chapman (@MCYeeehaaa) December 11, 2020
Gina Andrews is conscious, but has been taken to hospital for further assessment following her fall at @CheltenhamRaces earlier
Our thoughts are with Gina 🤞 pic.twitter.com/KVm6yVEAvN— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 11, 2020
“I was in front when I fell and Haafapiece had a great chance of winning too.
“I don’t know whether the main damage came from the actual fall or the ones behind, but I got a fair kicking.
“I’m looking at being out for around six week unfortunately.
“I spent the night at the Royal Gloucester Hospital and I’ve got to go back on Wednesday to see if I need an operation on my face.
“Depending on how that goes it could be longer, my return date all depends on that. Hopefully I’ll be back soon.”
Fortunately, Haafapiece did not suffer any injuries in the fall, and was able to get up and gallop away in the moments afterwards.
Significant weekend looms for Jennings
Fledgling trainer Caroline Jennings will experience a day of firsts, even before two of her most talented horses attempt to continue their winning runs on Saturday.
The Pakenham trainer will have her last-start winners Arabian Hussey and Written Miss in action at Randwick and Flemington.
"I've never had a runner at Flemington or at Randwick and I've never had two runners in two states on the one day," Jennings said.
In total, Jennings has had 17 starters for five winners.
Written Miss has had two outings for two easy all-the-way wins at Ballarat and Pakenham.
Arabian Hussey has won two of her four starts, including her most recent at Sandown Hillside on December 2.
Jennings said she would stay in Melbourne to watch Written Miss contest the Lexus Holiday Plate (1200m).
"I'd like to be in the two places but my assistant Roger Elliot will take Arabian Hussey to Sydney," Jennings said.
Written Miss will extend to 1200 metres for the first time after posting her two wins over 1000 metres but Jennings has no concerns about the extra journey.
"Everything about her, her demeanour, her attitude said she will run 1200 metres," she said.
With AAP
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