Jockey out of induced coma after fall
Jockey Henry Brooke has revealed he is “on the mend” having woken from an induced coma following a serious fall.
The 25-year-old was riding in the second race of the day — a 2m4f novice handicap chase at Hexham — on Saturday (8 October) when his mount, the Brian Ellison-trained Old Storm (not pictured), fell at the second fence.
It is understood that he sustained a punctured lung, broken ribs and collarbone in the fall, after which he was kicked by another horse while on the ground.
Racing was delayed for two hours while he was treated on the track.
“Thank you so much for everyone’s support and well wishes!! On the mend now and hope not to be out for too long!” Henry tweeted on Monday (10 October) morning, with a thumbs-up emoji.
The Injured Jockeys Fund has been providing updates on Henry’s condition.
“Following a fall at Hexham on Saturday, Henry Brooke was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where he has been in a stable condition overnight,” said a spokesman on Sunday morning.
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“He is in an induced coma to assist him with his breathing and his condition this morning remains stable.
“Any further updates will come direct from the Injured Jockeys Fund.
“His family would like to thank everyone for their support and well wishes.”
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An update that evening reported that he had regained consciousness and doctors were pleased with his progress.
Old Storm was Henry’s second ride of the day. He finished runner-up in the first race, a maiden hurdle, on the six-year-old Mondlicht, trained by James Moffatt.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.