Jockey Ryan Hatch is expected to remain in hospital for the “foreseeable future” after breaking his neck and back in a racing fall on Friday (9 December).
Ryan suffered a heavy fall with the seven-year-old Cogry in the Grade 3 handicap chase on the first day of the International at Cheltenham and was taken to Bristol Southmead Hospital.
The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) has been providing updates on his condition this week on behalf of Ryan and his family.
“Following his fall at Cheltenham racecourse last Friday, repeat X-rays carried out in Bristol Southmead hospital yesterday have shown that Ryan has suffered fractures of his C6 and C7 at the base of his neck,” said Lisa Hancock, chief executive of the IJF this morning (14 December).
“He has also fractured his sternum and has fractures of his T6, which is just below the shoulder blade. He has a spinal haematoma which is shown to be decreasing.
“It is anticipated that Ryan will remain in Southmead hospital for the foreseeable future.
“Any visitors to the hospital should please contact either Ryan or his father John in advance of visiting.”
He had been booked to ride The New One in the International Hurdle the following day (10 December), but Richard Johnson took over the ride on the eventual winner following Ryan’s injury.
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So far this season the National Hunt jockey, who is attached to Nigel Twiston-Davies’ stable, has ridden 17 winners — 13 over hurdles and four over fences.
In the 2015/2016 he rode 22 winners, with major wins including the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, held at Aintree during the Grand National meeting, aboard Ballyoptic in April, and the Grade 1 RSA Chase at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival with Blaklion.
