Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Canadian jockey Julia Brimo still in critical condition following fall
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Canadian jockey Julia Brimo remains in critical condition in a Kentucky hospital three days after falling during a race at Keeneland.
Brimo, 33, of Mississauga, Ont., was injured when her mount, Golden Stride, clipped heels and fell on the far turn behind tiring pacesetter Major Advantage. Gihon, with jockey Larry Sterling aboard, stumbled over the fallen horse but appeared to avoid Brimo.
Golden Stride didn't appear injured and galloped to the finish after getting up from the fall.
Brimo was taken to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital following the incident. A hospital spokesman said Monday that Brimo is still in critical condition but wouldn't provide details of her injuries.
Brimo, who had worked as an exercise rider recently for Canadian trainer Mark Casse in Kentucky and New Orleans, reportedly suffered head trauma and a cracked vertebra in her low back as a result of the fall but was said to be able to move her extremities.
Brimo rode 75 winners in 2003 and captured the Sovereign Award as Canada's top apprentice jockey. She began her riding career in 2001 with hunters and jumpers and has 163 wins from 1,612 career mounts for earnings surpassing $5.5 million.
Brimo had ridden in two previous races during the fall meeting at Keeneland prior to the start of racing Friday.
Brimo has raced in Canada at both Fort Erie and Woodbine racetracks. She registered four wins in 2007 at Woodbine but didn't race at all in 2008.
She had recorded her first victory of 2009 at Turfway Park in Kentucky on Oct. 4, her first since September 2007.
