Collective relief at such serious injuries illustrates inherent dangers

It is a pretty stark illustration of the precipice on which horseracing habitually exists that the industry breathed a collective sigh of relief when it emerged that the extent of the physical injuries suffered by Ana O’Brien at Killarney on Tuesday evening didn’t extend beyond multiple broken bones.

Following her fall on the Flat from Druids Cross, the popular 21-year-old apprentices’ championship leader was diagnosed with fractures to her C1, T5 and T6 vertebrae, as well as having fractures to both cheekbones.

By any standard, they are horrendous injuries. Stop for a moment and try to visualise such a trauma befalling a loved one of your own. It is a frightening prospect.