Luke Nolen taken to hospital with nose, teeth injuries and suspected concussion after fall at Geelong

Luke Nolen has been ruled out of the Ballarat Cup meeting after the extent of his injuries from a fall at Geelong were confirmed.

Jockey Luke Nolen has sustained fractured ribs and facial injuries, including a broken nose in an unfortunate fall at Geelong on Thursday.

The Victorian Jockeys’ Association confirmed Nolen’s condition, with more scans on his lower leg to come.

Nolen was riding Draw Attention, an $18 outsider for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, when he appeared to slide off the side of the filly, rounding the home turn, potentially due to a gear malfunction.

Thankfully, Nolen’s mount was behind the majority of the field at the time of the incident.

One runner, Chocolate Box, took an awkward stride under jockey Daniel Moor to avoid the fallen Nolen.

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Nolen was treated immediately by on-course medical staff and taken to Geelong Hospital for scans and assessment.

Draw Attention galloped on unharmed and vetted sound after the race.

Nolen, a 40-time Group 1-winner, had booked rides at Mornington, The Valley and Ballarat in coming days.

A confirmed concussion would rule out Nolen for at least two weeks under Racing Victoria safety protocols.

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Replacement jockeys will be required for mounts including Ballarat Cup fancy Berkeley Square on Saturday.

Nolen ironically picked up the ride last Saturday as a replacement for injured jockey Michael Dee.

Berkeley Square finished third in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) under Nolen and prompted Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan to back-up the consistent gelding in the home town cup.

Luke Nolen copped a knock to the face at The Valley last week. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Nolen on Wednesday said Berkeley Square “ticks a few boxes” for the Ballarat Cup.

“He was good through the line (in the Zipping Classic),” Nolen said.

“It was a slowly run race last Saturday and we cut the corner underneath them and he ran home.

“He hasn’t had a hard gut-buster, he should bounce off it pretty well in a race like that and his record is probably better at 2000m, low draw, home track, he ticks a few boxes.”

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Berkeley Square has been a model of consistency the past six starts with two wins, two seconds and two thirds.

Berkeley Square is $9 with Ladbrokes for the Ballarat Cup behind Poison Chalice ($4.80), Future History ($6.50) and Globe ($8.50).

The Ballarat Cup will be Berkeley Square’s first race on the home deck, at his 26th career start, and only third appearance away from a Melbourne metropolitan racetrack.

Berkeley Square has won seven of 25 starts and earned connections $1.4m prizemoney.

Nolen has copped a frustrating run of injuries in recent years, with back, hip and pelvis issues from trackwork and barrier incidents.

He copped a knock to the face last Friday night when his horse became fractious behind the barriers at The Valley.

Originally published as Luke Nolen taken to hospital with nose, teeth injuries and suspected concussion after fall at Geelong