A Queensland apprentice jockey who was critically injured after her horse collapsed earlier this month has been moved out of ICU.
Leah Kilner was racing in Grafton in Northern New South Wales when the incident occurred.
Racing New South Wales said she was brought out of her coma yesterday and was making "positive progress".
Rob Heathcote, who manages the stable Ms Kilner rides for, said she is taking strides in the right direction and has been moved to the high dependency unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
"The really good news is she's now breathing unaided — the breathing tube was removed," he said.
"She recognises everyone around her.
Mr Heathcote said the family and racing community were feeling a "huge sense of relief".
"The broader racing community is very much a tight-knit family … [Leah] has only been in my care as an apprentice just for the one year, and she has endeared herself to just about everyone that she comes in contact with."
Mr Heathcote said Ms Kilner was still not out of the woods.
"Leah has an enormous battle ahead of her, but the signs from the [medical team] are really, really encouraging.
"We hope and pray that not only she comes out of this battle she's currently in, but she could return to the saddle.
"I know the fighter that she is, she's going to do everything that she can to get back."
