A seasoned horse racing trainer is in critical condition at the hospital following an accident where he was knocked down by a horse at his stable in Dorset. Bill Turner, who celebrated his 78th birthday recently, sustained a severe head injury in the incident. He was quickly taken to the hospital, where medical professionals diagnosed him with a fractured skull.
Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, presenter Matt Chapman relayed that he had conversed with Turner’s family. Turner’s wife Tracy and daughter Kathy are involved in managing the stable located on the border of Dorset and Somerset. Chapman mentioned, “Bill fell and suffered a skull fracture. Currently, he is hospitalized and on a ventilator. The family faces a challenging decision in the next 24 to 48 hours regarding the ventilator.”
Chapman also appealed to the racing community to keep Turner in their thoughts and prayers. Turner, who oversees 12 horses and holds a joint license with the British Horseracing Authority, has achieved success with six winners of the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, a prestigious two-year-old race. Notably, his winning streak dates back to 1996 with Indian Spark and continued up to 2013 with Mick’s Yer Man, ridden by his grandson Ryan While.
Having a fruitful year with 29 victories and almost £100,000 in prize money, Turner’s stable saw additional gains when he privately sold Mick’s Yer Man to Hong Kong, where the horse was renamed Always Win. With a track record dating back to 1988, Turner is known for training both flat and jump horses, showcasing success in both disciplines.
The stable’s upcoming contender is anticipated to be Red Snapper, scheduled to run in a five-furlong nursery at Chepstow on Thursday afternoon.