Veteran Australian jockey Shane McGovern has undergone the amputation of both legs following a devastating trackwork accident earlier this month. The 67-year-old was trapped beneath a deceased horse for six hours after the nine-year-old gelding Reformist reportedly suffered an aneurysm.
The Incident
The freak accident occurred at McGovern's Charters Towers training facility in North Queensland on April 8. The incident cut off blood circulation to his legs, and he also sustained a dislocated shoulder and several broken ribs. He was eventually discovered by his wife, Kim.
Medical Update
Ten days after the accident, McGovern lost his left leg. The Australian Jockeys Association confirmed further grim news on Thursday, announcing that he had now lost both legs. In a post on X, the association wrote: 'A devastating update on QLD jockey Shane McGovern, unfortunately Shane has now had both his legs amputated. We are sending all our prayers and love to you Shane and your family. Keep fighting Shane.'
Family and Community Support
Following the amputation of his first leg, McGovern's wife expressed optimism, citing her husband's fighting spirit. 'It won't slow him down, it might just be a bump in the road,' she told Racenet. Racing Queensland donated $50,000 to a GoFundMe page established for McGovern's recovery, with the Queensland Jockeys’ Association contributing an additional $5,000.
Career and Background
Throughout his career, McGovern has achieved over 200 wins and 676 place results from 1,885 starts. Earlier this month, fellow Queensland jockeys Jasper Franklin and Yvette Lewis also suffered injuries during Gold Coast jumpouts. Franklin's Brisbane apprentice premiership aspirations were dashed as he nurses a broken collarbone, while Lewis sustained concussion and a tailbone injury after her horse bucked during a jumpout.
