Jockey Sherman Brown was airlifted from the Vaal on Tuesday after his mount Crown Plaza appeared to clip heels around the 50 m marker in the seventh race.
The 47 year old has been admitted to the Alberton Hospital with spinal and rib fractures.
Crown Plaza was a replacement ride.
Tex Lerena confirmed that he had chatted to Brown.
“I chatted to Sherman earlier this evening. He is waiting for the CT scan results and will be staying in overnight for observation. He is in good spirits – we wish him a speedy recovery!” added the former jockey.
A decision was made to airlift Brown when his blood pressure started dropping and he lost feeling in his hands.
Dawie Oosthuizen, who was the treating paramedic for Netcare said that Brown was very stable and was airlifted to Alberton Hospital as a precaution for further investigation and management.
“He presented with a palpable abnormality/deformity to the spine, motor and sensory intact. The concern arose when his blood pressure started to deteriorate and this suggested that there might be neuro involvement,” he added.
Awarded his Springbok colours during the 2011 International Jockey’s Challenge, the Zimbabwean-born Brown has extensive international experience and was Mauritian Champion in 2008.
Nick-named ‘Bouncer Brown’ and ‘Computer Man’, he is married to former jockey Danielle McCreedy. The couple have a daughter, Addison.
Sherman Brown attended the SA Jockey Academy in the same year as Craig du Plooy, David Carstens and Robert Sweetman.
He rode his first winner on Save Ten for Herman Brown Snr at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 11 September 1993.
The Sporting Post and readers wish Sherman a speedy recovery.