Top SA jockey recovering in hospital after HORROR fall – TWO horses euthanised

Multiple South African jockey champion Lyle Hewitson has received some positive news following a dreadful accident in Hong Kong on Sunday.

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During the running of the Grade 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin, Hewitson and three colleagues suffered a fall which led to two horses being euthanised.

Doctors are reportedly happy with his CT scan results and are preparing to move Hewitson to a General Ward and then to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Hospital.

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Hewitson’s mother, Samantha, reportedly told the Sporting Post that the news was ‘such a great relief’.

Australian star Zac Purton is currently being treated for upper-body injuries at Prince of Wales hospital but both he and Japanese Jockey Yuichi Fukunaga are reportedly in a stable condition.

Mauritian Karis Teetan was the only rider in the quartet to continue on the day.

Hewitson’s partner Hannah is with him at the hospital.

Lyle Hewitson ‘doesn’t recall what happened’

Hewitson’s mother confirmed that her son will stay in ICU for observation overnight as he has small spots of bleeding on the brain. 

The 24-year-old Hewitson, who is a three-time SA champion, reportedly doesn’t recall what happened, but “feels very sad for the horses and the others that fell”.

The incident, in the fifth contest on Hong Kong’s biggest day of racing, came as Hewitson’s mount Amazing Star broke down as the field turned to enter the home straight in the 1 200 metre (six furlongs) contest.

Gallopers Lucky Patch, ridden by Purton, Naboo Attack under Teetan and Pixie Knight with Fukunaga on board were caught in the melee and sent sprawling in distressing scenes.

Sadly, Amazing Star and Naboo Attack both had to be euthanised humanely as a result of their injuries.