Haley turner stood down for a year

HAYLEY TURNER, who has become one of racing's most high-profile ambassadors, has been stood down for a year after seeing the BHA's chief medical advisor Dr Michael Turner on Tuesday.

The meeting was to review her condition after the jockey had been knocked unconscious in a fall on the Newmarket gallops on March 3.

Turner hit the headlines last year when she becamethe first female jockey to ride 100 winners in a calendar year.

She said: "I met with Dr Turner today and reluctantly on his part I know, the BHA has had to stand me down for a year because of my head injury unfortunately.

"I am absolutely devastated. I know I am very lucky to be in one piece and I will be back riding, but a year is long time and it's very out of routine for me. I'm used to doing nothing but riding and obviously it is frustrating."

Dr Turner said: "Having carefully studied the results of recent tests and consulted expert opinion, I was unable to recommend that her license be renewed until 12 months from the date of the accident.

"Hayley has recovered well from her injuries but you cannot take any chances in cases like this.

"She remains under regular medical review and is due to see her own specialist at Addenbrookes in early June. Hayley is obviously disappointed but understands my decision."

Have added a pic on the home page for the lads.

What a tradgedy for her. She's always been one of my favourites in the UK Jackpots, particularly at Wolverhampton. Hang in there Hayls and look forward to your return asap !

Turner bled inside skull after stalls accident


HAYLEY TURNER on Wednesday said that she had bled inside her skull when she was injured in an accident on the Newmarket gallops in March and could be at risk of blackouts until the scar tissue has healed.

The jockey, who has been stood down for 12 months, hopes to be riding out within two months when the bruising and risk of blackouts have reduced.

Turner said: "When I fell off it actually caused bleeding inside my skull which causes scar tissue. That increases the risk of a blackout which is what they are worried about. The bruising has nearly gone and when it has gone I will be riding out."


Turner was speaking to Racing UK following her meeting with BHA's chief medical advisor Dr Michael Turner on Tuesday.

She said: "Dr Turner got in touch with all the different doctors I'd been to - it wasn't just his opinion, they all got together.

"With head injuries there are a lot of question marks, there are no set rules.

"I'm gutted really, I thought I'd be back much sooner than that."

"I don't completely understand (why she is signed off for a year) it myself but Dr Turner has been very good and I have also seen my specialist.

"I feel 100 per cent and I could drive down to Newmarket today, ride in every race and be fine. In a month and a half if the bruising has come out I will be able to ride out.

"It is a safety thing. It is like a broken leg, you don't start riding out again until it is mended."

HAYLEY TURNER said on Wednesday that she could appeal against the BHA decision to stand her down from race-riding for a year after suffering a head injury in a fall on the Newmarket gallops last month.



Hayley Turner: back riding out

The jockey, who rode out for the first time on Tuesday since the fall, was at Epsom fulfilling her role as the 'Face of the 2009 Derby Festival' as the course unveiled its new grandstand.


She said: "I am fine and started back riding out yesterday morning.

"I saw the specialist yesterday and there are no problems riding out. I rode out for Michael Bell this morning and it was like getting back on a bike.

"Driving here and looking at the track I was wishing I would be going into the weighing room and riding, but it is brilliant to be involved in this event.

"There are a lot of questions being asked and it's possible I will be appealing against the BHA decision."

Hayley Turner lodges appeal against riding ban


HAYLEY TURNER is hoping to be back in action next month after lodging an appeal against the one-year suspension from race-riding imposed by the BHA after she suffering serious head injuries in a fall on the Newmarket gallops in March.

Britain's leading female jockey was left unconscious and bleeding from the nose and ears, while also sustaining memory loss and bruising to the brain, but she has since made a remarkable recovery and for the past fortnight has been riding out after getting clearance her medical advisers.
Michael Bell


Michael Bell: backs Turner "110%"


Turner, 26, will have the support of her boss, Michael Bell, and two neurosurgeons at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge who have examined her when her case is heard by a medical appeal panelchaired by Professor David Silk sitting alongside an independent medical expert and a member of the Licensing Committee.

Turner said: "I realise it was a serious fall, but I feel great now, and my specialists say I am OK to ride so that is why I am appealing.

Bell said: "I am 110 per cent behind Hayley on this one. She has been riding out for me for nearly two weeks and looks as good as new. Her balance is great and visibly she looks totally normal and there don't seem to be any issues.

"Her medical advisers, who are highly qualified neurosurgeons, are right behind her and say she is fine, she feels fine, and hopefully the appeal board will look kindly on her request to resume race-riding.

"Obviously Hayley is a very important person in our sport, as well as being a vital asset to my stable, and the sooner she is back riding the better for all of us."

Welcome back.....Her appeal was successful and an hour ago she was granted her license back and can return to ride from friday...

I hope that she has not lost any of her confidence.

Turner back among the winners at Nottingham


HAYLEY TURNER returned to the winner's enclosure for the first time since she overturned her one-year riding ban after bringing home the Michael Bell-trained Lombok at Nottingham on Saturday.


Turner came agonisingly close to scoring on her first ride since suffering an injury on the gallops in March when Prompter, also trained by Bell, was just touched off at Ascot on Friday.

But she made no mistake second time round, bringing theHernando colt, backed into 6-1 from a morning high of 20-1, off the pace before charging clear and running out a ready winner of the 1m6f handicap.

Turner, who was cleared to resume her riding career after sucessfully contesting the BHA-enforced suspension on Thursday, has been riding work in Newmarket for the last few months and showed no signs of rustiness on just her second ride back.

However, the stewards deemed her guilty of careless riding approaching the final furlong as she allowed Lombok to drift left into runner-up Perfect Shot and issued her with a two-day ban (July 26 and 27).

It was her sole ride of the day after L'Enchanteresse was withdrawn from the EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes on account of the ground.

Welcomed back to the winner's enclosure by an appreciative crowd, Turner was presented with a bottle of champagne by officials at the track, and she said: "I've only been riding two days so I don't think it [riding a winner] became an issue, I only learnt Thursday night at eight o'clock that I would be riding the next day, the whole thing has been overwhelming and I'm just so happy to be back and to have a winner today is amazing."

It was fitting that Turner gained the winner on Lombok, with Bell a staunch supporter during the four-month period when she could not ride, and she was quick to show her appreciation, as she added: "Mr Bell has been such a huge supporter and he and Mrs Bell have been so kind and I'm grateful to him and all my friends and family."

Turner hit the headlines last year when becoming the first female rider to chalk up a century of winners in a calendar year in Britain.

She has one ride on Sunday - Lady Deauville at the Curragh - and she is a 4-1 shot to win a Group race this year