Lorna Brooke

Tragic news, RIP lorna and huge condolences to her family.

terrible news RIP

Tragic news. RIP,

Terrible news . May you rest in peace Lorna.

awful news RIP Lorna, life is so fragile at times

terribly sad for the family and the sport.  RIP.

Terrible news.R.I.P.

Awful.

RIP Lorna ...

So tragically sad, losing your life at such a young age. I cant imagine the pain that her family have gone through since the fall. God help them to give them strength to keep going.

tragic news RIP lorna

Tragic ,just a reminder of what these jockeys are risking every time they go out to ride ,RIP Lorna.

RIP Lorna

That's awful, really sorry to read this, only consolation is that she died doing something she loved, RIP Lorna.

What a shame.

How sad. It sent a shiver down my spine just reading about it.

RIP.

Very sad. RIP Lorna.

By Jonathan Harding
UPDATED 12:56PM, APR 19 2021
 
Lorna Brooke has died following a heavy fall at Taunton this month, the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) has announced in a statement.

The amateur jockey was treated on track and airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol on April 8 after falling from Orchestrated, trained by her mother Lady Susan Brooke, in the 2m7f handicap chase.

The 37-year-old was taken into intensive care where she underwent observations and tests for a suspected spinal injury, but due to complications she was placed in an induced coma on Friday.

A statement from the IJF was released on Monday morning, which read: "It is with deep sadness that we have to share the tragic news that Lorna Brooke passed away yesterday.

"Her family thank everyone for their kindness in the last ten days, particularly the staff at Southmeads Hospital who were so professional. They will be having a private funeral and will hold a celebration of Lorna's life once Covid-19 restrictions allow. Any donations to go to the Injured Jockeys Fund."

'She was the most wonderful lady'

Brooke, a 7lb claiming amateur, rode 17 winners in Britain and Ireland, including when landing the inaugural running of a Ladies Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on Moonlone Lane for Paul Stafford.

She rode more than 300 times for her mother but rode for several trainers since starting during the 2001-02 season, including for Tom Symonds and Shropshire-based trainer John Groucott.

"She was the most wonderful lady," said Groucott. "She was passionate about horses and rode because she loved it. It's just a tragedy and terribly sad as Lorna was the loveliest person you'd hope to meet.

"She's reasonably local to us and started by riding out a bit. She always gave horses a terrific ride. We have a lot of exceptional female jockeys and she was a probably a bit before her time in that regard – she's one of the ladies who set the standards early doors."

'She was a proud competitor'

The BHA also released a statement, which read: "The entire racing community is in mourning. We ask for the privacy of Lorna's family to be respected at this time and we await the opportunity to celebrate her young life when restrictions allow."

Its chief executive, Julie Harrington, said: "Lorna was a much-loved member of our sport, in which she and her family are steeped.

"She demonstrated many of the qualities that make British racing so special. She was a proud competitor and somebody who was driven by an abundance of love not only for the sport but for the horses she competed with.

"My thoughts, along with everybody else who loves racing, are with Lorna's family, friends and colleagues at this dreadful time."

A statement from Taunton on social media read: "All at Taunton are deeply saddened by the tragic news of Lorna's death as a result of injuries sustained in a race-riding fall at our meeting on April 8.

"We're in contact with the Injured Jockeys Fund and the relevant authorities. We'll pay our respects to Lorna's memory with a period of silence at our next meeting and all will wear black armbands."

The Racecourse Association (RCA) confirmed a period of silence will be observed at every meeting on Friday and black armbands will be worn as a "mark of respect to Lorna's memory".

This is yet another sad example of how dangerous this sport can be , and the risks jockeys take every day on both codes.
And furthermore, I’ve heard  idiots saying that some jockeys fall off on purpose. .
Hopefully her memory will ease the pain for her family of this tragic occasion.
RIP Miss Lorna Brooke.

very sad news
condolences to her friends and family