Baker in hospital after St Moritz fall
George Baker, the St Leger-winning jockey, was reported to be “awake in intensive care” in a Swiss hospital last night after he was involved in a three-horse pile-up in a race on the frozen lake at St Moritz.
Baker, 34, was airlifted to hospital in Chur after his mount, Boomerang Bob, trained by Jamie Osborne, was brought down and fatally injured after another horse put its foot in a hole.
The two other jockeys and horses escaped unscathed but the meeting, the third and biggest of the ‘White Turf ’ season when the Grand Prix is run, was called off on safety grounds. It is believed a crack in the ice undermined the surface.
Osborne, who had taken six horses out for the meeting, said: “He had a horrible fall but I’ve had a message that the CT scan is positive. If there is anywhere they’ll know how to deal with a head injury it’s in the Alps.”
Osborne was not inclined to apportion any blame for the accident, saying: “We cantered on the track on Saturday and it seemed fine as it did when we walked the course. A hole did appear but I guess when you sign up to race on a frozen lake there is always an extra risk. The racing surface looked great. They have measures in place to test the depth of the ice and racing would not have started had it not passed. It’s just unfortunate.”
Closer to home, it emerged last night that Barry Geraghty will miss the Cheltenham Festival and a number of plum rides.
The jockey broke six ribs and suffered a collapsed lung in a fall from Charli Parcs at Kempton on Saturday and although he was initially optimistic of making the meeting those hopes disappeared when the full extent of his injuries became known. “I’ve felt better. I’ve broken six ribs and have got a drain in my lung. I will remain in hospital until that is taken out,” said Geraghty last night.