Jockey Gina Andrews taken to hospital after suffering a sickening fall before being kicked in the FACE by a horse during a race at Cheltenham
- An amateur jockey has been taken to hospital after she was kicked in the face by a horse during a race at Cheltenham
- Gina Andrews fell in the 12.40 Catesby Handicap Hurdle on Friday afternoon
- Gian’s sister, Bridget, confirmed she was conscious and is ‘moving and talking’
Jockey Gina Andrews has been taken to hospital after she was kicked in the face by a horse during a nasty fall at Cheltenham.
Andrews was in with a chance of winning the 12.40 Catesby Handicap Hurdle while riding Haafapiece before falling at the last.
The amateur jockey’s sister, Bridget, confirmed that she was ‘moving and talking’ on her way to hospital on Friday.
Jockey Gina Andrews has been taken to hospital after she was kicked in the face by a horse
Andrews fell at the last hurdle before being caught in the face by a following horse
The jockey lays on the ground by her horse, Haafapiece, after falling at the final hurdle
‘Gina is said to be conscious and has been taken to hospital for further assessments’, Racing TV reported.
ITV Racing presenter Mick Fitzgerald said: ‘I’m just really pleased to hear she’s conscious because it really did look bad.
‘Fingers crossed and best wishes to her.’
Commentator Richard Hoiles said: ‘She is conscious, hopefully all is well.
‘These days the medical attention is excellent and there are lots of precautions so you shouldn’t read too much into the fact she was stretchered off.
Gina Andrews (pictured on Domesday Book in 2017) celebrates winning the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival
‘They just wanted to stabilise her and hopefully when she gets to hospital all the news will be good.
‘Fingers crossed. It was a really, really nasty fall.’
Andrews was leading in the 2m 1f race over hurdles before Haafapiece’s legs went from underneath it after the last, while almost bringing other riders down with it.
Footage then appears to show Andrews being caught in the face by a hoof from Fergus Gillard, who did well to stay up during the incident.
Andrews, who has a total career earnings of £188,947, has been riding for five years and has won 16 per cent of her 128 races to date.