Kelsey Hannan is recovering from a fall during a race in South Adelaide. Photo: Photosport
Young New Zealand jockey Kelsey Hannan is grateful to be alive after being thrown from her horse during a race in Adelaide at the weekend.
The 21-year-old was riding Iva Dream at the Strathalbyn Cup, when the horse stumbled shortly after crossing the finish line, launching her head first into the turf.
Hannan was put in an induced coma after the fall, but was released from hospital on Monday evening.
She has a fracture in her C1 vertebrae and faces a long recovery, having just returned to racing from a broken jaw.
Still shaken following the fall, Hannan said she was thankful the injuries were not more severe.
"To have another setback. It almost feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth, but ultimately, it could have been a lot worse, and I could not have been here so I just have to be grateful that I am still here."
The 21-year-old was adamant, however, that she would race again.
"It does happen, so it's something we just have to work around and use it as a bit of fuel to get back and get hungry for more wins, as long as it doesn't kill me, I'll always get back on."
Hannan said she did not remember anything from the day of the accident and was now suffering significant pain in her back and neck.
She anticipates another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"To start off with it's three months and then I suppose we see how we go from there."
It was only October last year that Hannan, shortly after making the permanent move to Adelaide, broke her jaw when a horse she was riding bucked and headbutted her.
"I don't remember much about that one either."
Iva Dream was found to have some cuts on her legs and is being treated by a vet.
Hannan believed a misstep by Iva Dream caused the incident.
"If you zoom in on the replay, she hasn't clubbed heels. It was her inside front leg which didn't come forward so she's tipped on an inside leg."
Hannan said Iva Dream would also return to the track.
"She has pulled up ok, she will take a bit of time to get herself right again and then I'm sure she will be back out and around."
Kelsey Hannan on Savonoski, winner of the Auckland Co-Op Taxis in December 2022. Photo: Photosport