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Important update on 1476AMFawcett on her way to full recovery from injury
Dennis Ryan, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • April 21st, 2026 2:13 pm
Lightweight jockey Jasmine Fawcett is well on the way to recovering from injuries suffered in a training track fall. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images)
After suffering potentially serious injuries in a training track accident late last month, lightweight jockey Jasmine Fawcett is well on the road to recovery.
The 32-year-old was ambulanced to Waikato Hospital on March 26 following a nasty fall at the Matamata track.
Initial scans and x-rays revealed a brain bleed and neck fracture, however she was released from hospital three days later after being cleared of major damage.
“As it turned out it was only a minor bleed that was under control pretty quickly and the C7 vertebrae in my neck was also able to heal without any need for surgery,” Fawcett said during a visit to the Matamata track on Tuesday morning.
“It wasn’t any fun what happened and it could have been a lot worse, but the main thing is I’m well on the way to a full recovery.
“I’m due to have my next check-up in two weeks, which will be six weeks since the accident, and all going well I’ll get a clearance to resume riding.
“If that’s the case, plan A will be to get back riding at the Rotorua Cup meeting, so I’m hopeful that’s how things will play out.”
Fawcett was something of a late starter in apprentice jockey ranks, beginning her career in her early twenties after travelling and working overseas.
In her second full season she rode 51 winners and after joining senior ranks, she achieved a career-best tally of 71 wins, including four black-type races, in what was her busiest season of 656 raceday rides in 2023-24.
More recently she has not travelled as extensively and in the current season she has ridden 28 winners from 356 rides.
“I have to say how good everyone has been since my fall, especially when I ended up in hospital and I got so many visitors and lots of nice messages.
“It’s great that people reach out to you when you find yourself in that situation, so I’d just like to say thanks to everyone who showed how much they care.
“I’ve also got to say how helpful and considerate NZTR have been with the support they’ve shown me, including through the General Trust Fund that takes away worries you might have about finances and that sort of thing.
“When you know people are behind you, it certainly helps you to make sensible decisions and concentrate on your recovery.”
