Cheltenham jockey taken to hospital, said to be in induced coma

CHELTENHAM, England - Jockey J.T. McNamara was taken to a hospital in nearby Bristol, England, after suffering serious injuries in a fall at Cheltenham Racecourse on Thursday.

McNamara, a 37-year-old amateur jockey, was injured when Galaxy Rock fell at the first fence of the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup over 3 3/16 miles for amateur riders. McNamara was transported via an air ambulance and was in “an induced coma,” his uncle Andrew McNamara told the Racing Post.
Cheltenham Racecourse released a statement that said that McNamara “was attended and assessed by doctors before being airlifted by air ambulance for further assessment and treatment.”

McNamara, who had 12 wins in Britain in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 jump racing seasons, had his first ride of the season in England at Cheltenham on Wednesday, finishing unplaced on Drawn N Drank, who was pulled up in a four-mile steeplechase for amateur riders. He rode six winners in Ireland earlier at this season.