Jockey Tye Angland still in intensive care after Hong Kong fall

Jockey Tye Angland has escaped any brain injury but remains in the intensive care unit of a Hong Kong hospital in a serious but stable condition after a sickening fall at Sha Tin last Sunday.

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STAR Sydney jockey Tye Angland has escaped any brain injury but remains in the intensive care unit of a Hong Kong hospital in a serious but stable condition after a sickening fall at Sha Tin last Sunday.

The jockey’s wife, Erin Angland, issued a statement through the Hong Kong Jockey Club on Friday to thank everyone for their “concern and messages of support” and to provide some details about the rider’s injuries.

“We are issuing this release so that there are no misconceptions on Tye’s condition,’’ Erin said. “As you are aware Tye had a fall at Sha Tin, Hong Kong on Sunday 25 November following which he remained conscious throughout.

Tye Angland is in a serious but stable condition after his fall in Hong Kong. Picture: Getty Images

“He remains in the intensive care unit in a serious but stable condition at The Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong. Whilst the full extent of his injuries are still unknown, we are thankfully able to report there has been no neurological damage.’’

Angland’s mount, Go Beauty Go, stumbled coming out of the barriers and the jockey was speared headfirst into the turf. The jockey underwent surgery last Monday night.

Erin requested “privacy, respect and patience” for her family and would release further information about her husband’s condition when more is known about his injuries.

“Tye’s well-being is paramount and rest is his first priority,’’ she said. “We understand that many people will be in Hong Kong next week for HKIR (Hong Kong International Racing) but we would ask for our privacy during this difficult time.

“We have not told our three young children of Tye’s condition and respectfully ask that they be kept unaware of what has happened.

“We have a long and difficult road ahead but what I do know is that Tye is a very strong and determined person and we will fight this together as a family. I do not intend to release anything further at this time.’’

There has been an outpouring of love and support on social media for Angland, one of the most popular and talented riders in the Sydney jockeys’ room.

Angland rode at Rosehill last Saturday and answered a call from the Jong Kong Jockey Ciub to ride at Sha Tin last Sunday as a number of jockeys were unavailable due to suspensions.

J-Mac extends lead

JAMES McDonald’s midweek treble at Warwick Farm takes him to 41 city winners so far this season, opening up a handy 15-win lead over nearest rival Tommy Berry in the Sydney jockeys’ premiership.

McDonald, who has a full book of rides at Canterbury Park on Friday night and some very good chances at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, has had more metropolitan rides (167) than any of his rivals but his strike-rate of winners to rides is at an extraordinary 24.6 per cent – which is basically a winner every four rides.

The champion jockey is at virtually unbackable odds of $1.10 with TAB Fixed Odds to regain the Sydney title he first won in 2015-16. He only needs to avoid injury, suspension or some other unforeseen circumstance to become the first to ride 100 or more Sydney winners in a season since Darren Beadman set the all-time record of 164 wins in 2006-07.

James McDonald has a handy lead in the Sydney jockeys’ premiership. Picture: AAP

Prain calls time on training career

BILL Prain, the popular Warwick Farm trainer, has announced his retirement after a successful career spanning more than 50 years in racing.

Prain, 67, saddled-up his final runners at his home track meeting on Wednesday with Stately Lord and Victory In Paris both finishing unplaced.

“I’ve just reached a stage in my life where I need a break,’’ Prain said. “I’ve had a great time in racing and met some wonderful people.’’

Prain rode for more than 15 years, winning over 700 races before he retired from the saddle and eventually took up training, forming an enduring association with leading owner-breeder, Fred Peisah of Lomar Park Stud.

“The best horse I trained was Moment’s Pleasure,’’ Prain said. “She was a very good mare.

“She gave Corey Brown his first Group 3 win (Newcastle 2yo Classic) and first Group 2 win (Reisling Stakes) but we just missed giving him his first Group 1 win when she ran second in the Coolmore Classic. But it is great to see the heights Corey has reached in racing because he remains a good mate to this day.’’

With Peisah scaling down his racing interests, Prain decided the time was right to retire from training.

Trainer Bill Prain has ended his training career. Picture: Jenny Evans

*****

JULIA Ritchie and Phil Morley were re-elected as Australian Turf Club directors at the club’s annual general meeting on Thursday.

ATC members voted at the AGM and by proxy to fill two of the four club-appointed positions on the seven-person board.

Ritchie, who has been a director for nearly four years and remains as the club’s Vice-Chair, and Morley, a director for more than two years, were both elected to serve four-year terms.

ATC Director and former Chairman Laurie Macri was awarded life membership of the club.