Cumbrian racehorse trainer Nicky Richards is in hospital after a heavy fall while he was supervising gallops at his Greystoke stable.
The 68-year-old, who followed his successful trainer father Gordon at Greystoke, is reported to have broken his shoulder, pelvis and ribs.
It appears that he was thrown to the ground when the horse he was riding the 10-year-old Houston Texas.
The horse had a heart attack and died in the incident.
The trainer was taken to Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary.
“He was riding work and the horse came down with him at speed. He’s probably been very lucky because he was going fairly quick when it happened.
“He’s broken the scapula on the right side on top of his shoulder, four or five ribs and fractured his pelvis as well.
“They said all the fractures look stable, so hopefully he’s not going to need any surgery, which is a positive, but it’s just going to take time.”
