BRIAN TOOMEY is feared to have suffered serious head injuries in a crashing fall from Solway Dandy in the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle at Perth on Thursday.
The 3lb claimer was being assessed on Thursday night by doctors at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. His girlfriend Amy Ryan, last season's champion apprentice, anxiously awaited news while driving from Haydock, where she had been riding, to be with him.
"I don't know anything at the moment, and am waiting to hear from Brian Hughes [Toomey's close friend and fellow jockey] who has gone to the hospital," said Ryan.
Earlier clerk of the course Harriet Graham said: "We called for the air ambulance, but after it landed the medics decided to send Brian by road. I have no specific news on his condition, but he is seriously injured."
Solway Dandy, the 11-4 favourite trained by Lisa Harrison, came down at the third-last - the final flight before the home straight - when attempting to get back into contention.
It is understood Toomey lost consciousness and that he required assistance from paramedics to aid his breathing before leaving the course.
Toomey, whose riding licence is held by Amy's father, Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan, has ridden 49 winners since 2008 of which his three successes this season came within the space of four mounts for three different trainers just over a month ago.