A JUMP jockey who was placed in an induced coma having sustained serious injuries in a fall while racing has regained consciousness.

Henry Brooke, whose mother Julia runs a racing yard in Middleham, fell from his mount Old Storm at the second fence in the two-and-a-half-mile novice handicap chase at Hexham on Saturday, and appeared to be struck on the helmet by a horse’s hoof.

The meeting was halted for almost two hours while medical staff, who had been following the race, moved on to the course to treat the 25-year-old, who also works as a bloodstock agent at his mother’s yard.

Clerk of the course James Armstrong said medics decided Mr Brooke’s condition was inappropriate for him to be moved to hospital on the road. The jockey, who has scored three wins in the last fortnight, was placed in an induced coma before the Great North Air Ambulance transferred him to Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Brooke said: “He’s broken his collarbone and they had to put him to sleep on the course as he had a problem with his lung. I think he must have a collapsed lung as they had to put a tube in, which is why it took so long for them to get him to Newcastle.”

This evening, the Injured Jockeys Fund said: "He's had a much more comfortable day and has regained consciousness which is fantastic news.

"The doctors are pleased with his progress."

It added: “His family would like to thank everyone for their support and well wishes.”

A spokeswoman at Mrs Brooke’s yard said family members had travelled to Newcastle to be at the bedside of the North Yorkshire-born jockey, who became champion conditional in 2013.

The jockey had been riding for Malton-based trainer Brian Ellison, who said his yard was “keeping our fingers crossed the prognosis for a full and speedy recovery is imminent”. He added: “Henry was in schooling a couple on Saturday morning before heading off to Hexham to partner Old Storm. Thoughts and prayers are with Henry and his family.”

Members of the North Yorkshire racing community wrote messages of support on social media for the jockey, who has competed in the last four Grand Nationals and led the field riding Aachen on the first circuit of this year’s race.

Yorkshire Dales racehorse trainer Ann Duffield said: “All the trainers in the Middleham area are hoping that Henry makes a very quick recovery. He is a well-established, a very good rider and a nice lad.”