Jockey Lorna Brooke dies after fall at Taunton racecourse early in April
Amateur rider Lorna Brooke, 37, died in hospital on Sunday following a fall at Taunton earlier this month, the Injured Jockeys Fund has announced.
Brooke was riding Orchestrated for her mother, Lady Susan Brooke, when falling at the third fence in the Pontispool Equine Sports Centre Handicap Chase on 8 April. Racing was delayed by more than hour as she was treated on track, before being transferred into an air ambulance.
A statement issued by the IJF on Friday said Brooke was in a “critical, but stable condition” in intensive care at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, and had been placed in an induced coma due to “various complications” during the week.
However, a further statement released on Monday confirmed she had died.
The statement read: “It is with deep sadness that we have to share the tragic news that Lorna Brooke passed away yesterday. Her family thank everyone for their kindness in the last few weeks, particularly the staff at Southmead
Hospital who were so professional.
“They will be having a private funeral and will hold a celebration of Lorna’s life once Covid restrictions allow.”
Multiple champion jockey AP McCoy was among those to pay tribute following the news. He stated on Twitter: “Heartbreakingly sad news. thoughts and prayers with her family. RIP Lorna”
Brooke had ridden in more than 300 races for her mother but rode for other trainers since she started riding in public at the turn of the century.
“She was the most wonderful lady,” Shropshire-based trainer John Groucott told the Racing Post. “She was passionate about horses and rode because she loved it. It’s just a tragedy and terribly sad as Lorna was the loveliest person you’d hope to meet.
“She’s reasonably local to us and started by riding out a bit. She always gave horses a terrific ride. We have a lot of exceptional female jockeys and she was a probably a bit before her time in that regard – she’s one of the ladies who set the standards early doors.”