A tragic incident during a race in New Zealand has left apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson in a critical state, while the jockey deemed responsible faces a month-long suspension. Rogerson, just 24 years old, was riding Mandolo when she was thrown from her horse during Race 6 at Arawa Park, located near Rotorua, this past Sunday.

The unsettling fall was attributed to the actions of French jockey Corentin Berge. According to stewards who scrutinized the race footage, Berge allowed his horse to veer out dangerously, causing interference with Rogerson’s mount.

In the aftermath of the accident, Rogerson was rushed to a hospital where doctors, concerned about intracranial pressure and a potential brain bleed, placed her in an induced coma. The fall resulted in a fractured skull, and subsequent X-rays revealed additional fractures in her neck. Despite the severity of her injuries, she retains movement in her limbs, offering a glimmer of hope amid the dire circumstances.

Rogerson suffered a fractured skull in the fall, and doctors immediately placed her in a coma amid concerns about intracranial pressure and a possible brain bleed. 

X-rays later confirmed fractures in both her skull and neck, though she has movement in her limbs.

Her family has been at her bedside since the moment she was airlifted to Waikato Hospital’s intensive care unit. 

There were shocking scenes in New Zealand when 24-year-old jockey Bailey Rogerson was raced to hospital and put in a coma after a horror race fall 

French jockey Corentin ‘Coco’ Berge was found to be responsible for the fall and handed a monster ban

Her grandfather, legendary Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Graeme Rogerson, said on Monday that Bailey’s mother, Michelle Northcott, ‘hasn’t left her side since it happened.’

‘She is in an induced coma but they are going to try to bring her out of that today,’ Graeme told the New Zealand Herald. 

‘She has a fracture in her skull and there might also be a broken bone in her neck region but they haven’t been able to X-ray her for that yet. 

‘But she has movement in her limbs so that is good news. 

‘We will know more today when she is brought out of the coma and obviously we are all very worried. But she is very tough.’

On Tuesday morning, Bailey’s father Gary confirmed her sedation had been reduced and that she briefly opened her eyes for around 10 seconds, the first encouraging moment since the fall. 

 ‘They are reducing her sedation and hope to take her off it today, her vital signs are good,’ he said. 

Rogerson’s fiancé, trainer Alex Forbes, has also remained with her as the family manages the constant flow of updates and medical decisions.

There have been positive signs as Rogerson has been able to open her eyes since the incident. Hundreds of people have sent messages of support

The ban handed down to Berge (pictured) is one of the biggest issued in New Zealand racing this year

Berge, who was riding In A Pickle, was suspended for four weeks after stewards found he allowed his mount to shift outward and trigger the chain reaction that brought Rogerson down. 

The penalty is one of the strongest handed out in New Zealand racing this year.

Rogerson had earlier celebrated her 58th career winner on the same card, guiding Burnished to victory just hours before the accident. 

Known for taking difficult rides and supporting smaller stables, she has long been regarded as one of the most dedicated young riders in the country.

‘She rides plenty of horses that often can’t win because she accepts rides other people don’t want; she just loves riding,’ her grandfather said.

Hundreds of well-wishers have sent messages of support for Rogerson on social media following the incident.

‘So sad to hear, sending love and prayers to Bailey on a speedy recovery and hope she makes a full recovery and sending loving prayers to her family. Get well soon beautiful lady,’ one read.

Another posted: ‘Get well soon Bailey you come from tough stock girl’

The horse that Bailey was riding was thankfully uninjured in the fall.

‘For those asking about the horse it was fine got up and galloped away other than a few bruises and a bit stiff it’s good,’ a witness posted.