Jeff Felix badly hurt in race fall

Queensland jockey Jeff Felix has suffered serious injuries in a fall at a north Queensland race meeting.

The 45-year–old was hurt when the horse he was riding fell shortly after the start of a race at Home Hill on Saturday.

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission issued a media release on Sunday night which said Felix was taken to Townsville General Hospital where he remained in intensive care.

Senior steward Paul Gillard said he had been told Felix was resting comfortably and was responsive and it was hoped he would be moved out of the ICU and into the general ward soon.

Felix’s injuries include a fractured skull and collarbone, broken nose, facial lacerations and internal bleeding from a suspected ruptured spleen.

He had returned to riding recently after a serious fall at Innisfail earlier this year.

Felix is well known throughout Queensland and rode for a time as an apprentice in Brisbane.

Mackay jockey Katrina Aho, 35, also came off her horse in the same incident but appeared to have escaped unhurt.