Laura Lafferty in ICU with internal injuries after nasty fall at Ballarat

Laura Lafferty’s manager has provided an update on the injured jockey who was airlifted to hospital after a nasty fall at Ballarat on Thursday.

Laura Lafferty has been involved in a fall at Ballarat. Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Jockey Laura Lafferty is expected to make a full recovery “in time” after being cleared of any major structural damage.

Manager Simon Lambert on Friday confirmed Lafferty was under heavy sedation in intensive care but “is communicating” with family.

Lafferty sustained a collapsed lung, broken rib and severe bruising to most of her body, “especially the hip to neck”, in a nasty race fall at Ballarat on Thursday.

The 25-year-old on Friday was cleared of any spinal and leg injuries.

Doctors gradually reduced medication to wake her up from an induced coma.

“Laura just had the tube taken out,” Lambert posted on X.

“Spinal and legs and general areas OK… brace just came off after trauma team had assessed.

“Under heavy sedation of course but she is communicating occasional between some uncomfortable issues.

“Remains in ICU… no plans to shift her from ICU at this stage... however in time Laura will be OK they suggested.”

Laura Lafferty update: 🙏🤞🏼 pic.twitter.com/1Fa5wSdzh5

— Simon Lambert (@simonlambert49) October 4, 2024

Thursday night update: Jockey Laura Lafferty sustained a collapsed lung and injuries to her spleen and liver in a nasty fall at Ballarat.

Lafferty’s manager Simon Lambert posted an update on X, formerly Twitter, late on Thursday.

Lambert said Lafferty, in an induced coma in intensive care, “at this time” has not required surgery.

“Laura in ICU. Has collapsed lung,” Lambert posted.

“They have done a procedure to lung also Injuries to her spleen and liver.

“No operation at this time -will continue to monitor.

“Still checking other areas and wait. In induced coma atm (at the moment).”

Lafferty was airlifted to hospital on Thursday with suspected internal injuries.

Lafferty was leading the field on The Praised One, a $201 outsider in a 1400m maiden, when her mount shied at about the 800m mark and dislodged the rider.

The Praised One continued riderless.

The incident sparked an hour delay between races as Lafferty received medical attention, was stabilised and taken to a helicopter pad nearby.

Racing Victoria steward Alex Streckbain provided an update shortly after the incident.

“She has injuries that are internal … it appears she may have been trodden on or struck a blow at some point when she’s come down,” Streckbain said.

The Victorian Jockeys’ Association expected a further update on Friday morning.

Jockey Harry Coffey was immediately concerned for Lafferty after winning the maiden on Double Market.

“I hope she’s OK,” Coffey said.

“Winning is a good feeling but when there’s a lot else going on it’s not everything.”

Coffey suggested windy conditions made it difficult to handle the horses on Thursday.

His mount in the first race was scratched behind the barriers after the filly got a fright and reared up in the gates.

Lafferty, a winner of 162 races, has endured an injury-plagued career.

She sustained concussion, ligament damage and bone bruising in a fall at Swan Hill in 2021.

Lafferty suffered another concussion, whiplash and bone bruising to the hip and elbow in 2022 when a mount experienced a medical episode.

Originally published as Laura Lafferty in ICU with internal injuries after nasty fall at Ballarat