Matt Griffiths in stable condition after crash but long-term prognosis unclear

Grade 1-winning jockey Matt Griffiths is in a stable condition but doctors are unsure of his long-term prognosis due to a brain injury following the fatal car accident which hospitalised him earlier this month.

Griffiths, 31, has been transferred to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton from Southmead Hospital in Bristol to continue receiving treatment three weeks after the accident, which left the rider with a serious head injury and killed a 27-year-old male passenger.

An appeal for information on the accident, which happened at 8.45pm on October 3 near Exford on Exmoor when Griffiths' BMW 430 collided with a tree, was subsequently launched by Avon and Somerset Police on October 5.

In a statement released by the Injured Jockeys' Fund on Tuesday, his mother Christine said: "Matt remains in a stable condition. We think he is now able to recognize close family members, but doctors are not yet sure of Matt’s long-term prognosis due to a brain injury.

"We have received so many messages of support and really are extremely grateful to everyone who has contacted us."

Griffiths, who had his first ride in December 2008, has won 139 races from 1,300 rides in his career, with the highlight coming earlier this year when he won the Ascot Chase on Dashel Drasher for his most regular supporter Jeremy Scott, which was his first at Grade 1 level.

He has also ridden regularly for Nicky Martin and was aboard The Two Amigos when finishing second in the Welsh Grand National and fourth in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Bear Ghylls. He has had 11 rides so far this season without success.

Anyone with information which could help Avon and Somerset Police's investigation can call them on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5221230833.