Jockey Gavin McKeon's condition is improving as he recovers from head injuries suffered in a race fall.

McKeon, an Australian who moved to New Zealand several years ago, was hurt in a three-horse fall at Otaki on Thursday and has been in an induced coma in Palmerston North Hospital.

His riding agent Wally O'Hearn told NZPA McKeon was now out of the induced coma and his condition had improved.

"His partner Emma Read was at his bedside this afternoon and he showed signs of recognising her and the others there," O'Hearn said.

"He was looking at the people talking to him and moving his arms. He's heading in the right direction now."

McKeon is best known for his association with outstanding mare Seachange.

As well as suffering bruising to his head, McKeon has a broken nose and a fractured finger tip.

Meanwhile, Sydney apprentice Lachlan Fyfe remains in a serious condition in Nepean Hospital after a fall in a barrier trial at Hawkesbury last week.

Fyfe also has head injuries.

A spate of falls in NSW over the past two weeks has decimated the jockey ranks with several senior riders including Melbourne Cup winning jockey Blake Shinn on the sidelines.

Shinn has a broken wrist which will keep him out for about six weeks while Peter Robl will be out for at least that amount of time with a broken vertebra.

NZPA