McEvoy Sustains Head Injury at Flemington

Kerrin McEvoy will be hospitalized for several days with bruising to the brain after a two-horse fall in the opening race at Flemington on Oaks day Nov 9.

The 26-year-old Godolphin-employed jockey fell with his mount, Butterfield, 200 meters from the wire in the Crown Trophy (1,100 meters). Butterfield came together with Vie, ridden by Dwayne Dunn. Both horses fell simultaneously and escaped injury.

Dunn rolled along the turf and although shaken, was cleared to ride later in the day. Butterfield partially rolled on McEvoy as he lay on the turf.

McEvoy moved his arms and legs after being placed on a stretcher. He was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Dr. John McCorkell attended McEvoy at the track. He said that other than slight bleeding into the brain, the jockey's vital signs were good. "He's conscious and able to talk," McCorkell told reporters.

The initial assessment was that McEvoy would remain hospitalized for three or four days.

Officials opened an inquiry into the fall and before adjournement, it had been established that Vie moved out and crowded Butterfield, resulting in both horses falling.

In an eerie coincidence, it was 263 days ago that McEvoy fell in almost identical circumstances, also in a Flemington straight course race on the final day of the Victoria Racing Club Spring meeting.

In last year's fall, from Queen Of The Hill at the 300 meters in The Age Classic, McEvoy received facial injuries which required extensive plastic surgery. He was benched for two months.

McEvoy is the second rider for Godolphin behind Frankie Dettori. McEvoy missed the ride on Oaks sixth, Ulfah and had been booked for five rides on Flemington's final day (Nov 11), including Makybe Diva's Jade Robbery half-sister, Valkyrie Diva, in the Hilton International (Aus-II).