Apprentice Bavish Soodoo (Picture credit Chase Liebenberg Photography)
Sporting Post
A cloud hung over the final day of the South African racing season at Fairview on Friday following a shocking fall by newly crowned regional champion apprentice Bavish Soodoo.
The Mauritian-born rider was dislodged after finishing second in the fourth race on Ravilious, who stumbled shortly after the finish and fell.
Trainer Jacques Strydom told the Sporting Post that the young rider remained in their prayers.
A Surgeon reported on Saturday morning that he was positive about recovery as Bavish is fit and healthy and that they just needed to give the swelling on the brain time to subside, and in most cases the bleed on the brain gets absorbed.
The Soodoo family said in an earlier statement that they sincerely apologized for not being able to answer all calls or reply to messages at this time.
“Our family is going through one of the most difficult moments of our lives, and we are deeply shocked and devastated. As many of you may have seen on various racing pages, Bavish Soodoo was involved in a serious fall during a race at Fairview Racecourse in South Africa. He was immediately attended to by the medical team and rushed to the hospital, where he is currently receiving intensive medical care.At this moment, Bavish remains unconscious after sustaining a severe brain injury. We are holding on to hope, praying for a miracle, and trusting in the doctors caring for him. We kindly ask everyone to keep Bavish Soodoo in your prayers. Every prayer, message of support, and kind thought gives our family strength during this heartbreaking time. We also respectfully ask for privacy as we stand by Bavish and hope for positive news. We will share official updates as soon as we are able.Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. Please continue to pray for Bavish’s strength, healing, and a full recovery.”
Bavish Soodoo was the champion locally-based jockey and champion apprentice in the East Cape this past season.
His mount Ravilious broke down and was humanely euthanized.
