Jockey Stefano Cherchi rushed to hospital with head injury and internal bleeding after terrifying fall in Australia

ITALIAN jockey Stefano Cherchi has been rushed to hospital in Australia after suffering a head injury in a fall.

Cherchi, apprentice jockey to Newmarket trainer Marco Botti, was thrown from the saddle when his horse Hasime came down in a one-mile race at Canberra.

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Cherchi has been taken to hospital in Canberra[/caption]

The shocking incident happened at around halfway when Cherchi’s mount fell and brought down two other runners.

The two other jockeys involved were able to walk away with only minor bumps and bruises, while the three horses involved were also unscathed.

But Cherchi, who has over 1,000 rides and 106 winners to his name in Britain, was treated on the track by medical staff for around an hour before being taken away in an ambulance.

The New South Wales Jockeys Association posted on social media: “Stefano Cherchi has sustained a head injury and internal bleeding.

“Stefano has been transported to Canberra Hospital, where doctors will assess the full extent of the injuries.

“We pray for Stefano.”

Cherchi, 23, has been based in Sydney during his stint riding in Australia this winter.

His colleagues in the British weighing room took to X, formerly Twitter, to send their thoughts and prayers to the young rider.

Eoin Walsh posted: “Thoughts and prayers with one of my closest friends.”

Callum Shepherd said: “Sending all the love in the world and best wishes to @SC_Cherchi. Please be ok.”

And trainer Marco Botti added: “The whole yard is saddened by the news this morning.

“Stefano has sustained serious injuries in a race fall in Australia. Thoughts and prayers are with @SC_Cherchi and his family.”

Cherchi has ridden two winners during his spell down under, with his most recent victory coming at Gosford racecourse on Saturday.

His best season in Britain was in 2021 when he bagged 35 winners from 283 rides, earning £266,278 in prize-money.