JOCKEY Gina Andrews’ husband has opened up on the hell of not being able to see her in hospital after she was kicked in the face by a horse.
Andrews suffered a horror fall at Cheltenham in December when she came crashing down at the last on 18-1 shot Haafapiece.
As Gina hit the deck, a horse trailing behind clipped her in the face with its hoof.
Punters were horrified at what they had seen and the amateur jockey was rushed to hospital.
Fortunately she has now recovered and has even started riding horses again.
But Gina’s husband and trainer Tom Ellis revealed they pain they went through when he was not allowed to comfort her in hospital due to Covid guidelines.
He described the fall as ‘horrendous’ but said just as bad was not being able to contact her as she lay in hospital.
Ellis told the Racing Post: “It was horrendous that fall at Cheltenham, but she’s been schooling at home and it’s good to have her back.
“The worst thing was not being able to see her in hospital because of the Covid regulations.
“I didn’t see her for two nights and she hadn’t got a phone so I managed to get an ambulance man to take a phone to her, but I didn’t have a charger so I couldn’t get hold of her and didn’t know what was going on.”
The female amateur jockey was in with a chance going over the final hurdle
The ban on amateur jockeys competing in light of coronavirus means Gina cannot currently race.
But she is keen on returning as soon as possible and said: “The doctors signed me back on so I’ve just got to pass a doctor on raceday and then I’m good to go.”
That could come at the Cheltenham Festival.
Latenightpass, a 40-1 winner at Warwick on Wednesday, is trained by Ellis and Gina could get the ride on him next month – if amateurs can compete.
Ellis added: “If Gina could and amateurs are allowed, she’d ride him at Cheltenham – she’s ridden him every other time in his life.”
