Jockey in a coma after serious fall
A young jockey is in a coma at Waikato Hospital after an accident during a race last Wednesday.
Taiki Yanagida was riding at the Cambridge Jockey Club during one of the last races of the day when his horse fell and he suffered serious injuries to his head and spine.
The Japanese-born jockey was riding Te Atatu Pash when the horse came down on top of him 250 metres from the finish line.
Yanagida’s manager, Ted McLachlan, has been visiting the 28-year-old in hospital.
‘‘At this stage Taiki is in the ICU at Waikato Hospital still with head and spinal injuries,’’ he said.
‘‘He is in an induced coma and on a breathing apparatus.’’
Described as a ‘‘universally liked member of the racing community’’ Yanagida was knocked unconscious in the accident.
He was placed in an induced coma at the racing track before being transported to Waikato Hospital, NZ Racing Desk reported.
A spokesperson from New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) said the organisation had been helping with travel costs to bring Yanagida’s mother, Kayano, to Aotearoa from Japan.
She and Yanagida’s sister were due to arrive soon.
‘‘Another jockey, Yuto Kamagai, will be meeting her and will translate for her,’’ the spokesperson said.
‘‘NZTR will also have a representative at the airport to meet Kayano, and we will be ensuring she has whatever she needs while here.’’
Yanagida had only recently travelled back to Japan for a month-long stay to visit his mother and two sisters, the spokesperson for NZTR said, after being away for four years.