Popular apprentice jockey Leah Kilner underwent surgery Sunday night at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane to release pressure on her brain after a shocking fall in Grafton.
His Brisbane boss Rob Heathcote updated a racing community, anxiously awaiting any news after the shocking events of the day.
At the same time, tens of thousands of people turned to social media to send good wishes to the 24-year-old.
Heathcote tweeted; “She is a very sick girl and has been in a coma since the fall.
“Right now, like Sunday at 6pm, she is undergoing surgery to release pressure on her brain.
Leah Kilner with Rob Heathcote. Image: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography
“It’s a very serious situation and we should all pray for her to go through it. Leah is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met in the races, so we have to pray for her recovery.
“I just wanted you all to know what’s going on, because you love him as much as we do.”
Kilner came out of the first start of the Stella’s Turn about 75m from the winning pole, after the horse fell without interfering.
Racing NSW issued a statement Sunday night, saying: “Leah has been transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, where she is in an induced coma and is being treated for a possible brain injury.”
Leah Kilner is transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Image: Nine News
Kilner’s father, Greg, is also Grafton’s local coach and was on track when the incident occurred.
Clarence River Jockey Club executive director Michael Beattie confirmed she was unconscious when she was transported from the field.
Kilner fell from Stella’s Turn not far from the winning post.
As a show of respect for the popular learner, the remaining six races of the program were postponed in the hope that they will be rescheduled for later this week.
“Leah was unconscious, but she was breathing helplessly and her blood pressure was good,” Beattie said.
Leah Kilner after a win at Eagle Farm. Image: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography
“But until she’s examined … we won’t know what injuries she suffered in the fall.”
Beattie described Kilner as an “extremely popular person” among the jockey ranks, who eventually convinced him to cancel the rest of Grafton’s meeting.
Leah Kilner.
“Because there was such a long delay of more than an hour before La Leah was airlifted off course, there was a big wave of concern for her from the other jockeys,” Beattie said.
“It was clear they had the mentality of not riding, so I argued with the commissioners and felt it was in everyone’s best interest to postpone the rest of the meeting.”
Leah Kilner after a victory on the Sunshine Coast. Image: Track photo
In February, Kilner suffered a fractured and displaced rib after a fall in the Doomben tests.
He was out of the chair for two weeks.
Kilner is one of the most outstanding rider apprentices in the region.
He has surpassed his country claim and ridden more than 200 winners during his career on the saddle.
He won 46 races during the 2021-22 season and is closing his best season of 54 winners in 2018-19.