Laura Lafferty remains in intensive care but has shown a promising step forward in her recovery, having come out of an induced coma and is now able to communicate with her family. The 25-year-old jockey is still recovering from the serious injuries she sustained in a race fall at Ballarat on Thursday.
Lafferty’s injuries included a collapsed lung, a fractured rib, and extensive bruising, especially around her hip and neck. Despite the severity, her manager, Simon Lambert, shared some encouraging news, saying that doctors are optimistic she will fully recover over time.
The accident happened when Lafferty, who was leading the pack on The Praised One during the second race of the day, was thrown from the mare. She was subsequently airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital for urgent care. Thankfully, The Praised One, trained by Patrick Starr, was unharmed in the incident.