Apprentice Jockey Suffers Horror Fall

Jake Noonan

Apprentice jockey Jake Noonan has suffered a bad fall at Flemington

Leading apprentice jockey Jake Noonan has suffered a horror fall during the final race of the day at Flemington yesterday.

The young jockey was riding Lee Freedman’s Safe in the 1,200 metre Veolia Environmental Services Handicap when the horse fell 200 metres from home.

Noonan was unconscious for more than five minutes after the fall, which saw him crash to the ground directly onto his head.

Emergency crews, along with Jake’s father Tony Noonan, rushed across the field to attend to the 18-year-old apprentice.

He was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where early scans have revealed no serious injuries despite the concussion.

Victorian Jockey’s Association chief executive, Des O’Keefe, told that Noonan was in a stable condition after his fall.

“He knew who he was when he regained consciousness,” O’Keeffe said.

“Jake has movement of his arms and legs so the outcome is looking good.”

Prior to the fall Noonan had been in winning form, riding Resuscitated to victory in the Cleanevent Handicap earlier in the day.

Noonan was booked to ride Group winning mare Ortensia in today’s Group 1 The Goodwood at Morphettville, a race that would have been his second ever Group 1 ride.

Before the fall, Noonan also confirmed he would be travelling to England next month to ride for prominent trainer Andrew Balding.

The jockey will be hoping for a full recovery in time for his proposed trip.

“I think it will be a great experience to ride for Andrew Balding and gain that experience,” Noonan said before the fall.

Noonan has ridden 37 metropolitan winners this season, putting him into fourth place on the metropolitan’s jockey’s premiership.

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