THE horseracing fraternity is praying for a popular jockey who has been placed in an induced coma after a horrific fall at a race meeting.

Brian Toomey, who is attached to trainer Kevin Ryan’s stables at Hambleton, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, suffered a life-threatening head injury in the incident while riding in the Book Now For 2014 Perth Festival Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle on Friday.

Mr Toomey, a 3lb claimer, was riding the 11-4 favourite Solway Dandy, when he was unseated three flights from home.

It is understood the 24-year-old lost consciousness and that he required assistance from paramedics to help him breath before he was taken to Ninewells Hospital, in Dundee.

He has remained in a stable condition at its intensive care unit.

His mother and sister are at his bedside along with Mr Toomey’s girlfriend, Amy Ryan, who became the first female jockey to be crowned champion apprentice last year, and her trainer father, Kevin.

A spokeswoman for Mr Ryan’s stable said Miss Ryan and her father were awaiting news on his condition, but did not expect to receive an update for about 48 hours.

She said: “We had been having a great day with three wins and then Brian had this fall.

“The stables are very sombre and everyone is just waiting for news from Perth.

“He is a lovely jolly lad and we are all hoping for some really positive news when they decide to bring him out of the coma in a few days’ time.”

Leading figures in the racing community said they had been left in shock by the incident.

Champion jockey AP McCoy wrote on Twitter: "Thoughts and prayers are with Brian Toomey who had a very serious fall at Perth let’s hope he will be ok."

Malton-based trainer Richard Fahey tweeted: “Let’s spare a thought for Brian Toomey. Hope all goes well for him.”

Irish jockey Aidan Coleman said “Brian Toomey is a teally great lad who is loved by all especially in the weighroom”, while fellow rider Nick Schofield described the news as “frightening” and urged the racing community to pray for the jockey.

Mr Toomey, whose licence is held by Mr Ryan, has ridden 49 winners since 2008.

His three wins this season came in the space of four mounts for three different trainers in June.

Racing commentators said Mr Toomey’s injury illustrated the dangers jockeys face in National Hunt racing, with jockeys falling on average once in every 16 rides.

Mr Toomey’s fall follows jockey after JT McNamara was paralysed suffering spinal injuries in a fall at the Cheltenham Festival.