The father of amateur jockey Louis Burke has shared an update following the serious fall his son experienced at Wincanton Racecourse on Thursday.
Keiran Burke revealed that Louis sustained several fractured vertebrae after falling from his horse, Danzini, during the opening race at Wincanton. The incident prompted the deployment of an air ambulance to the racecourse and led to a 49-minute delay of the mares' maiden hurdle race.
The fall occurred at the seventh of ten obstacles in the Molson Coors “Hands And Heels” Handicap Hurdle. After receiving on-site medical attention, Louis was transported by road ambulance to Yeovil District Hospital.
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Hours later, Keiran Burke posted on social media: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out about Louis. He’s bruised and has a few fractured vertebrae, so he’s still in hospital, but the doctors are confident he’ll recover with rest and care.”
The race was won by jockey Rian Corcoran aboard the 16-1 outsider Our Dylan, who narrowly defeated Watchoutitscookie by half a length, according to the Mirror.
A South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson confirmed: “At 12:34 pm on Thursday, November 20, we responded to a medical incident at Wincanton. A double-crewed land ambulance and an air ambulance were dispatched. One patient was transported to Yeovil District Hospital via land ambulance.”
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance also confirmed their attendance at the scene. Their team, including a doctor and a specialist in critical care with expertise in pre-hospital emergency medicine, was on board. The aircraft was operated by a pilot and co-pilot as usual.
Keiran Burke, a seasoned jockey and trainer, has a distinguished history in the sport. He rode and trained Cheltenham Festival winners, including Holmwood Legend in the 2011 Byrne Group Plate and Hunt Ball, which won the Novices' Handicap Chase a year later. Recently, he made a brief but successful return to racing by competing in the 355th Newmarket Town Plate.