Jockeys Hewitson, Chau and Teetan hurt, horse dies, in fall at Happy Valley

By Michael Cox 

South African jockey Lyle Hewitson remains in hospital and will miss the rest of the Hong Kong season after he fractured his right wrist in a scary three-horse fall at Happy Valley last night. 

Hewitson, who also suffered an ankle injury in the pile-up, was the worst affected by the fall that also resulted in jockeys Jerry Chau Chun-lok and Karis Teetan being taken to hospital for scans. 

Hewitson’s mount Seasons Wit was euthanised after a foreleg frature sent it hurtling to the turf with 50 metres remaining in the fifth race. 

Chau was then dislodged when his horse Eternal Fortune stumbled over the stricken Seasons Wit and then Teetan was flung to the ground when Watch This One became unbalanced when attempting to avoid the fallen horse. 

Hewitson and Chau were immediately attended to by ambulance staff while Teetan was able to limp away. Jockey Club head of racing Andrew Harding, along with jockeys Zac Purton and Brenton Avdulla went on to the track to check on the fallen riders. 

Hewitson and Chau went to Queen Mary Hospital for scans while Teetan, who at first intended to ride in race six before being stood down, later went to Yan On Hospital for precautionary scans. 

Both Hewitson and Chau remained in hospital overnight. Scans revealed no serious injuries for Chau but he also remained under observation after he landed heavily on his back. 

There are six meetings remaining in the Hong Kong racing season, which concudes with the Season Finale meeting at Happy Valley on July 16.