Thankful Joseph O'Brien issues positive bulletin on sister Ana

Trainer Joseph O'Brien issued a statement on Wednesday night on behalf of the O'Brien family in which he struck a positive note over the serious injuries sustained by his sister Ana at Killarney the previous evening.

Detailing Ana's injuries, he said: "Ana is feeling much better today, thank God. She had an MRI [scan] this morning that confirmed three vertebral fractures at C1, T5 and T6. Her facial fractures will be assessed in the coming days.

"Thankfully we don't think she's going to need any surgery and is going to be treated with a neck and back brace instead. She would like to thank everybody for all their kind thoughts and prayers."

Joseph O'Brien: has high hopes for LatrobeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He continued: "Ana would also like to thank the brilliant work provided by Dr Adrian McGoldrick and the racecourse medical officers, the Order of Malta, the veterinary team, the ground staff led by Val O'Connell, Mr Peter Murchan, the air medical crew, Professor Paul Redmond and the brilliant team at Cork University Hospital for all their incredible care."

While the rider could be out of action until November – emphasising the seriousness of her injuries – the most welcome news is that a brain scan on the 21-year-old has revealed no issues.

Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick said: "The brain scan is clear, which is very, very good news.

"I've spoken with Professor Paul Redmond, the professor of surgery at CUH, and the MRI scans that were carried out on Ana this morning revealed that surgery won't be required. That is very positive news."

He added: "I would imagine Ana will remain in hospital for another few days. She's very upset and it's been an awful ordeal for her. She'll be fine, though. She's likely to be out of action for three to four months. She's amazing."

Aidan and Annemarie O'Brien thanked all those who assisted, including the Irish Coastguard Air AmbulanceCredit: Patrick McCann

O'Brien has had 18 winners this season and went down to the start for the mile rated race at Killarney hoping Druids Cross would provide her with a 19th.

She was asking her mount to quicken and go after all-the-way winner Secret Wizard passing the two-furlong pole when St Gallen, ridden by Shane Foley, bumped into the three-year-old colt, who instantly lost his footing and sent O'Brien crashing to the turf, which was officially good, good to firm in places. Druids Cross sadly suffered fatal injuries in the incident.

O'Brien was quickly attended to by the medical staff on duty, who included McGoldrick, and an air ambulance arrived over an hour and a half later to airlift her to Cork University Hospital. The helicopter was clapped away by the anxious Killarney crowd.

The air ambulance took Ana O'Brien to Cork University HospitalCredit: Patrick McCann

Sheila Lavery, who sent out Secret Wizard to win the race, was speaking for everyone when saying: "The victory of Secret Wizard pales into insignificance and, while it's great to win a race, I'd give it back as long as Ana is okay. All that really matters is Ana."

The stewards were unable to hold an inquiry into the incident because of O'Brien's injuries and her unavailability to give evidence. The matter was passed on to the Turf Club to be dealt with at a later date.