Baker improves after bad fall

JOCKEY George Baker remains in a stable condition in a Swiss hospital after a fall on the ice at St Moritz last Sunday, but the latest reports are that he is facing a lengthy recovery process following his fall last Sunday.

Baker, who won the St Leger last September on Harbour Law, was riding Boomerang Bob for Jamie Osborne on the frozen lake track when the horse was brought down and fatally injured in the first race of the day.

Two other horses came down in the incident but neither they nor their jockeys were seriously injured.

Subsequently, cracks were found in the ice and the meeting abandoned.

Baker was taken to a trauma hospital in Chur and put in an induced coma but initial scans came back clear.

A statement issued by the Professional Jockeys Association on Friday said: "Following a fall during the first race at St Moritz on Sunday, February 26th, George Baker was transferred by air ambulance to Graubunden Hospital in Chur, Switzerland, where he has remained in a stable condition in intensive care.

"Having had CT scans earlier in the week, George underwent a MRI scan today.

"Following those MRI scan results, George has suffered from some bleeding in the brain and we are anticipating a long rehabilitation process, but are hopeful that he will make a positive recovery.

"George will remain in hospital in Switzerland whilst arrangements are made for his return home to commence his rehabilitation.

First win for lady with new allowance

DELPHINE Santiago created history on Wednesday when she became the first female jockey to ride a winner in France with the aid of the new 2kg allowance.

Santiago, 37, partnered Milow to victory in the seven and a half furlong handicap on the all-weather at Deauville for trainer Ana Imaz Ceca. A joint-winner of the Cravache d’Or in 2013, Santiago guided her mount to a length and a quarter win with the help of the allowance, which came into force on Wednesday. Opinion had been divided on the merit on the new allowance with many female riders not in favour of it.

In all bar the graded races and Tierce handicaps in France female riders will now be able to claim 2kg (4.4lb), a move that has provoked much debate with several female riders hitting out at the move as demeaning.

In all, 13 of the 96 runners at Deauville were due to be ridden by women with Alison Massin riding in seven of the eight races on the card.

Also in France, the first meeting of the year at Auteuil was cancelled after officials failed to reach agreement with union representatives and employees who had occupied the parade ring.