Jockey airlifted to hospital with head injury after horse collapses with heart attack during race

Ivy Lam, an apprentice who is from Hong Kong, was riding at the meeting at Gawler in South Australia when her mount suffered a medical episode

A young jockey was airlifted to hospital after suffering a head injury when her horse collapsed after suffering a heart attack during a race.

Ivy Lam, a 23-year-old apprentice from Hong Kong, was riding in the seventh race, the Willow Grove Stud Handicap, at Gawler in South Australia.

Near the halfway point of the near one mile race, her mount Jacob’s Gate began to drop back through the field and collapsed, sending the jockey to the ground.

She was immediately attended to by on-track medics and a helicopter called to transfer her to hospital in Adelaide. The final race on the card did not go ahead as the stewards abandoned the rest of the meeting.

A Channel Nine news report from Adelaide said that, according to paramedics, Lam was being treated for “critical head injuries”.

A statement from Racing SA said: “Apprentice Ivy Lam is in a stable condition at RAH where she's being treated for injuries sustained in a fall during R7 at Gawler today. Ivy was injured when her mount Jacob’s Gate suffered a medical episode & collapsed at the 700 metre mark.

“Racing SA Stewards & First Care Medical were immediately on the scene & worked to stabilise her condition prior to the arrival of SA Ambulance paramedics. We're advised Ivy regained consciousness prior to being airlifted to the RAH where she is currently undergoing scans.

“We are enormously grateful to all those involved in Ivy’s care. Racing SA is in close contact with Ivy’s family and we will provide further updates when possible.”

Lam arrived in Australia, where she works for the stable of Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle, and had her first ride in January. She has ridden 16 winners from 139 mounts. The Hong Kong Jockey Club issued its own statement about the incident and said one of its team would be flying to Australia to support Lam.

“The Hong Kong Jockey Club can confirm that Trainee Apprentice Jockey Ivy Lam suffered a fall after her mount suffered a heart attack mid-race at Gawler Racecourse in Australia today (Monday, 7 October),” the statement said.

“Lam has been sent to hospital where she is receiving immediate medical care. The Club's Head of Racing Talent Training and Headmistress, Apprentice Jockeys’ School Amy Chan is travelling to Australia to offer all necessary support to Lam and her family.”

A post from the Australian Jockeys Association said: “Sending our wishes to SA apprentice Ivy Lame who was involved in a heavy fall at Gawler. Our thoughts are with you Ivy for a speedy recovery.”