Following a horror accident at Happy Valley on Wednesday, former SA champion jockey Lyle Hewitson, fellow SAJA graduate Karis Teetan and colleague Jerry Chau Chun-lok were taken to hospital after a fall during the Class Three St George’s Challenge Cup.
Lyle Hewitson puts on a brave face in hospital (Pic – Supplied)
The South China Morning Post reports that Hewitson was speared into the turf when favourite Seasons Wit came down around 75m from the line after fracturing his left fore fetlock, with the South African jockey suffering a fractured wrist and a suspected fractured ankle.
Seasons Wit fell in front of Eternal Fortune under Chau and Teetan’s mount, Watch This One, and while both gallopers managed to keep their feet, Chau and Teetan also fell.
In a club statement, it was reported that Hewitson and Chau were conscious following the incident and taken to hospital for further medical examination.
Teetan limped away from the pile-up and was later stood down from his remaining rides before going to hospital for precautionary scans.
The club confirmed imaging of Chau “has not identified any injuries” and Teetan “has no identified serious injuries”. Hewitson and Chau remained under observation overnight.
The Jamie Richards-trained Seasons Wit could not be saved and was humanely euthanised, while the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Watch This One and Danny Shum Chap-shing’s Eternal Fortune were taken to the equine hospital for further examination.
Both Hewitson and Chau rode winners before their falls, with Chau coming from behind midfield to strike on My Day My Way in the second section of the Class Four Hereford Handicap.
Hewitson got on the scoresheet for a relieved David Hayes, who snapped a 39-runner losing sequence when Amazing Run lived up to his name to win the second section of the Lancashire Handicap.
With the Hong Kong Season coming to an end on 16 July, Hewitson will not see action again and will end on 28 winners and gross stakes of HK$51 805 725.
