By Ben Talintyre
Copyright news
Hellyer headed to Toowoomba for just one race on Saturday, a ride on the maiden Southoftheborder in the last event of the seven-race program.
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However, as he hopped on the four-year-old in the parade ring just after 9pm, the gelding was rather flighty.
As Hellyer stepped into the irons, the horse reared backwards, smashing the 37-year-old in the head.
The Queensland jockey was flipped backwards off his mount, smashing headfirst into the parade ring ground.
The incident left onlookers stunned as Hellyer was left unconscious on the ground, with paramedics rushing to attend to the jockey.
You can watch the frightening incident in the player above
The race was delayed for half an hour, with Hellyer’s mount scratched as the jockey was rushed to hospital.
The stewards’ report noted: “The start of the event was delayed approximately 28 minutes when Southoftheborder reared slightly in the mounting yard, striking Jockey M Hellyer, while mounted, in the head, rendering him unconscious.”
However, in what can only be described as a miracle, Hellyer escaped the horrifying ordeal relatively scot-free.
“Thank you to everyone that reached out,” Hellyer said in a post on X.
“Very lucky to have come away with just a busted lip and concussion.
“Looking forward to being back in the saddle in a couple of weeks.”
Sky Sports Racing presenter Tim Carroll added: “Anyone that’s ever been whacked like this will tell you, it does hurt.
“Half a chance that whack in the head was enough to knock Micheal out before he hit the deck.
“Good to hear he’s okay.”
Hellyer has been stood down from all riding duties for 12 days and will need to obtain a medical certificate clearing him of concussion and concussion symptoms, and must also complete a cognitive assessment before being cleared to ride again.
At the earliest, Hellyer could return to racing on Friday, September 26.
