Apprentice Wayton Van Staden, who hit the Scottsville turf in what was a horrifying accident in an Apprentice Handicap at Scottsville on Wednesday, is thankfully back on his feet and was walking around unaided at the SA Jockey Academy at Summerveld today.
The young rider was rushed to hospital after the fifth race when his tiring mount Auto Pilot clipped the heels of another runner and fell inside a rather untidy final 300m.
The James Goodman trained Auto Pilot was on his feet immediately.
Van Staden was released from hospital last night after observation and according to a spokeswoman at the Academy he is ‘on his feet and feeling a little sore’.
She was unable to confirm the specific nature of his injuries but confirmed that he is in a neck brace and that his left hand is bandaged.
He was sent for a full medical assessment this morning.
The NHA will hold an inquiry into the accident, as confirmed by this excerpt from the official Stipes Report:
The Stipes Reported that at approximately the 200 metre mark SACRED JEWEL (*M Thackeray) shifted out resulting in AUTO PILOT (*W van Staden) clipping the heels of SACRED JEWEL (*M Thackeray) and falling dislodging Apprentice W van Staden. As a result KING PROTEA (*B May) racing to the outside of AUTO PILOT (*W van Staden) became cramped for galloping room for a number of strides. An Inquiry will be held into this incident.
The Course Medical Officer reported that Apprentice W van Staden fell whilst riding. He was fully conscious but complaining of pain to left shoulder and left thumb. Referred to hospital
