Clarence River Jockey Club CEO Michael Beattie has provided an update on Leah Kilner following her fall at Grafton on Sunday afternoon.
The apprentice jockey, 24, was riding Stella’s Turn in race three when the horse buckled in the straight, throwing Kilner from her mount.
She was quickly airlifted to Princess Alexandra hospital in Brisbane before being placed in an induced coma and undergoing surgery overnight.
Beattie told SEN Track’s Bensley that the reports were positive following the operation.
“The reports that are filtering back… is that the operation last night went as well as could possibly be expected, and there’s certainly a lot of hope held out for a very, very positive outcome, as far as Leah is concerned,” he said on Monday morning.
🗣''Reports coming back to the track are that Leah's operation went as well as could possibly be expected, and there is certainly a lot of hope held out for a positive outcome.'
— BENSLEY (@SENBensley) July 4, 2022
- Clarence River Jockey Club CEO Michael Beattie with an update on the condition on Leah Kilner. pic.twitter.com/Eo8hi1pv4p
Racing NSW also provided an update on Monday afternoon via Twitter.
The statement confirmed that Kilner had been cleared of spinal injuries but remained in an induced coma.
Apprentice jockey Leah Kilner update (3:30pm): Leah has been cleared of spinal injuries but has sustained fractured ribs and a fractured clavicle. She remains in an induced coma and will be monitored for her head injuries
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 4, 2022
Beattie was on track at the time of the fall and said Kilner remained unconscious before police arrived and she was airlifted to hospital.
“Essentially Leah didn’t regain consciousness,” he added.
“My understanding is… about 25 minutes after the fall, Leah at that stage had been unconscious throughout that time, but she was breathing unassisted, which was considered obviously very positive.
“Whilst she was having a little bit of fluctuation in her blood pressure, it wasn't terrible, so there were a lot of positives from the paramedics.
“It was just clear that it was a major incident.”
Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote, Kilner’s boss, confirmed earlier on Monday that his apprentice had broke ribs and her collarbone in the fall.
Stella’s Turn was euthanised shortly after the incident.
Image: Instagram @Leahkilner