Jamie Kah, Craig Williams injured in nasty crash at Flemington

Two of Australia’s top jockeys, Jamie Kah and Craig Williams, were extremely lucky to avoid serious injury in a shocking race crash at Flemington on Saturday.

Kah was knocked unconscious when she was impaled in the turf after her mount Flyball struck the heels of eventual winner Veight midway through the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

Paramedics examined Kah on the track as she drifted in and out of consciousness before improving enough to communicate with medical staff.

Williams suffered a fractured collarbone (collarbone), a broken rib or two, a broken finger, and a concussion after being untied by Dubenenko, who tripped over the fallen flyball.

He was taken to Alfred Hospital and tweeted from his bed late Saturday night.

Kah, who runs the Melbourne Premiership of jockeys, went to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for further evaluation.

She was later cleared of fractures or brain injuries but remains severely convulsed and sedated.

Both horses were galloped on after suffering only minor abrasions.

Vets will re-examine Flyball and Dubenenko on Sunday morning.

Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief Matt Hyland said Kah suffered a “rather serious” headbutt.

“Both drivers sustained a blow to the head, especially Jamie,” Hyland said.

“She was unconscious for a while but thankfully is conscious now.

“It seems like everything else seems fine.”

The VJA will provide another update on Sunday.

Saturday’s dramatic crash was the second in a row at Flemington.

Rising star jockey Ethan Brown continues to recover from internal injuries sustained last Saturday at the Royal Melbourne.

The latest incident has rocked the close-knit Victorian racing community, particularly its fellow riders.

As racing resumed after a 40-minute delay, Kah’s partner, fellow jockey Ben Melham, rode the next winner and stepped down for the remainder of the meet to join his girlfriend in hospital.

“I’m going to put the cue in the rack for the day and just make sure she’s okay,” Melham said.

“It’s just a reminder of how dangerous the job can be in the last week or so, but right now, winners don’t matter as long as everyone is okay.”

In Secret, Kah’s wannabe ride in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap happens to be fueled by a $1.5 million Flemington feature.

Jockey Dean Holland, riding In Secret, toned down his celebrations in Group 1 to acknowledge the circumstances.

“The last thing I wanted to do today, win, lose or draw (was carry on). It’s very unfortunate what happened to Jamie and Willo,” Holland said.

“My thoughts go out to you, I was just fortunate enough to be riding light today and picking up the pace on one of Australia’s best sprinters.”

Stewards heard evidence from several jockeys, some of whom shuddered when they first saw the sideways footage of the incident as part of the investigation into the fall.

Meanwhile, Brown said he was “overwhelmed” by the support he’s received from friends and the racing industry following last week’s crash.

Brown was riding Maximillius in the Australian Guineas when the horse and another runner, Holymanz, ridden by Mark Zahra, fell about 300m from the finish.

Brown was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital with internal injuries, including his liver, after Maximillius rolled onto him during the accident.

Zahra escaped the fall with serious injuries and both horses survived the incident.

Brown took to Twitter to reassure his followers that he was on the mend.

“What a crazy couple of days it has been,” he wrote.

“I am overwhelmed by the amount of support and concern that I am being given.

“I am extremely fortunate to say that I made it over the other side in one piece and am now on the road to recovery. Apologies to those I haven’t reached out to!!”

Brown posted a photo of himself in his hospital bed hugged by his girlfriend, fellow jockey Celine Gaudray.

Gaudray also posted a photo of Brown in a wheelchair on Saturday catching some sun outside his hospital.

– with Brad Waters and Fiona Byrne