Champion jockey hospitalised with fractured ribs and a broken nose after suffering nasty fall

Jockey Luke Nolen was taken to hospital on Thursday after he fractured his ribs and broke his nose during a fall in the second race at Geelong.

The 44-year-old jockey, who is best known for riding ‘wonder from Down Under’ Black Caviar to her Diamond Jubilee stakes victory in 2012. 

He also rode the horse to 22 of her 25 consecutive wins, but is now a doubt for the Ballarat Cup on December 7.

On Thursday, Nolen was aboard Draw Attention and the pair had been making their way around to the top of the straight during the 1221m Geelong Homes 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate race, when he fell from his mount.

The pair had been at the back of the field when the incident occurred, with racing subsequently being suspended as medical teams arrived.

The rider was conscious as doctors the emergency crews rushed to his aid.

Nolen (pictured aboard Dark Horse) is said to have suffered injuries to his nose and teeth 

Racing Victoria later confirmed he had fractured his ribs and suffered a broken nose, with more scans on his leg to follow

The Victorian Jockey’s Association (VJA) subsequently announced that he had been taken to hospital with a suspected concussion having also suffered facial injuries. 

‘VJA Update: After a fall at Geelong Luke Nolen is being transported to Geelong Hospital with nose and teeth injuries, suggested concussion and sore lower back,’ Racing Victoria wrote on X.

The VJA later revealed that Nolan had fractured his ribs and broken his nose in the incident. 

‘VJA Update: Scans at Geelong Hospital have revealed Luke Nolen has fractured ribs, facial injuries including a broken nose. More scans on lower leg to follow,’ Racing Victoria wrote. 

Draw Attention was not injured during the incident.

Nolen has booked rides at Mornington, The Valley and Ballarat coming up over the next few weeks.

Should medical assessments confirm that he has sustained a concussion, Nolen will be sidelined automatically for two weeks.

He had sustained a nasty injury in February this year breaking his ribs before undergoing surgery to stem an internal bleed following the fall at Packenham.

Sea Poem, trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes and ridden by Blake Shinn, went on to win the $37,500 race.