Six weeks after suffering life-threatening injuries in a fall in a jump-out at Wangaratta, former apprentice jockey Stephen Brown jr has been transferred from Royal Melbourne to the Epworth Hospital to continue his rehabilitation.
Brown jr sustained head injuries, as well as fractured ribs, neck fractures and a punctured lung in the fall on September 18.
He had been in Royal Melbourne Hospital since, firstly in ICU before being moved to a ward earlier in October.
His parents, Stephen sr and Elisha, issued a statement on Thursday via Racing Victoria.
“The last six weeks have been unbelievably challenging for Stephen, but he’s shown great courage and determination to get to the stage of being well enough for doctors to approve his transfer to Epworth,” they said.
“On Stephen’s behalf and on behalf of all his family and friends, we would like to pass on our appreciation for all the kind messages of care and concern that we have received.
“We would also like to record our sincerest thanks to everyone involved in Stephen’s care, from the moment of his injury at Wangaratta.
“The efforts of those on course at the time, the paramedics who managed his transfer, the ICU doctors and nurses at the Royal Melbourne were all simply extraordinary, as has been the care shown by everyone once Stephen was transferred into the ward at Royal Melbourne.
“We know the next part of Stephen’s recovery at Epworth Hospital will be lengthy and demanding for him, but we are just so pleased he is starting that next phase of his recovery today.”
Brown jr rode 40 winners during his apprenticeship to his father, a Victorian-based trainer, and last rode in a race in November last year at The Valley before becoming a registered track rider.
