Blaike McDougall taken to hospital following fall at Geelong

Blaike McDougall, one of Victoria’s leading jockeys, has been injured in a race fall at Geelong on Friday.

The 28-year-old was dislodged from Eagle Queen at the 1000-metre mark of the $27,000 Cement Australia Maiden Plate (1540m), the third race on Geelong’s eight-race card.

The four-year-old mare trained by Andrew Payne appeared to falter and stumble before falling to the turf.

Racing.com’s trackside reporter Sam Doran reported that other jockeys who had checked on McDougall’s welfare said he was ‘sitting up, talking and in good spirits’ following the fall, although he was complaining of pain in his neck and shoulder.

The fourth race was delayed by 30 minutes while McDougall received medical attention on course.

The Victorian Jockeys’ Association has confirmed that McDougall has been transported to Geelong Hospital for scans.