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ABC News
ABC News
Health
By Rebecca Hyam and staff

Queensland jockey Leah Kilner critically injured after falling during race at Grafton

The jockey was riding Stella's Turn at Grafton when the accident occurred.

Brisbane-based apprentice jockey Leah Kilner has been critically injured after falling from her horse during a race at Grafton in northern New South Wales on Sunday.

Kilner, 24, was riding Stella's Turn in race three when the horse fell in the home straight, dislodging the jockey from her mount.

Racing New South Wales said she was lapsing in and out of consciousness on the track, before being flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

The organisation postponed the remaining six races on the program after the incident.

The PA Hospital said on Monday morning she remained in a critical condition. 

Kilner, an apprentice with Brisbane-based trainer Rob Heathcote, has ridden more than 200 winners during her time in the saddle.

Heathcote told ABC News the jockey's mother had accompanied her on the flight from Grafton to the PA Hospital.

Apprentice jockey Leah Kilner was was thrown from her horse at the Grafton meet. (Facebook: Leah Kilner)

It is believed she is being treated for head and spinal injuries.

Kilner won 46 races during 2021-22 and had been closing in on her best-ever season of 54 winners in 2018-19.

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