Friday, 19 December 2008


Aussie jockey Gavin McKeon is in Intensive Care in a New Zealand hospital after suffering suspected head injuries in a race fall at Otaki yesterday.

Best known for his exploits as the regular rider of New Zealand’s champion galloper Seachange, McKeon clipped heels aboard Henry Daniel in a Ratings 80 Race over 2100m and was sent crashing to the turf.

McKeon was rushed to Palmerston North Hospital where he was placed under sedation in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit.

The jockey was heavily concussed when leaving the track with suspected head injuries.

"He has been put into an induced coma for a 24 hours to access damage," Gavin's brother Todd McKeon said.

"Doctors have told us it's likely they will bring him out of it on Saturday morning and tests done thus far leave us optimistic that there is not too much damage."
McKeon, 28 was originally from Guerie near Dubbo in NSW, did his apprenticeship in Brisbane before heading to New Zealand where he has risen through the ranks to become one of New Zealand’s leading riders.

Thanks Dougie, this is not good news but still glad that you let us all know. I am all for "jockey safety" as number one priority and if necessary, at the expense of the individual punter's horse being given every opportunity to win. Obviously the right balance has to be found but I would rather err on the side of safety for the jockeys. Punting to 99.9% of people is just entertainment, any of us "ordinary people" who really thinks they can turn that 15% or whatever out of every Win Pool into a profit for them, is "dreamin", unless, they are incredibly lucky. I hope to see Gavin McKeown back riding as early as possible in 2009.

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