Amateur jockey Lauren Keen-Hawkins remains in hospital with post-traumatic amnesia after ‘horrific’ Worcester fall
AMATEUR jockey Lauren Keen-Hawkins remains in hospital with post-traumatic amnesia following her ‘horrific’ Worcester fall.
The rider, 22, was rushed to hospital after she crashed to the turf head-first in a race last weekend.
Messages of support from everyone in British racing have been sent to the jockey, who rides for Grand National-winning trainer Kim Bailey.
Writing in his blog, Bailey said Keen-Hawkins appeared to be showing signs of improvement.
A statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund elaborated on her condition on Friday.
The statement read: “Following her fall at Worcester on Sunday, Lauren remains at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
“She was unconscious for an extended period of time, and as would be expected after this, Lauren has now entered a stage termed Post Traumatic Amnesia (PTA).
“This means she is sleeping a lot of the time, with bouts of confusion, but can recognise and communicate with family members for brief periods.
“Her parents Philip and Karen report that she is showing signs of improvement.
“They would like to thank the hospital team for their amazing care of Lauren, and are also extremely grateful for the overwhelming amount of support they have received.
“It is likely that Lauren will have an MRI scan in the next few days to further assess her injury.”
Keen-Hawkins was rushed to hospital after the terrible incident three hurdles from the end of the 2m4f race.
She had been riding six-year-old mare Faerie Cutlass, who was unharmed in the crash.
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 Gold Cup-winning handler Bailey.
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.