Top jockey Clifford Lee has emerged from a medically induced coma following a motorcycle accident during his vacation. The 29-year-old sustained a neck fracture after falling headfirst and was promptly taken to the hospital last week. With a record-breaking year of 94 victories, Lee faces an extended period off the racetrack, as confirmed by his employer Karl Burke.
Burke expressed optimism about Lee’s progress, stating, “He is now out of the induced coma, which is a positive development. He will undergo a procedure to address the fractures. He is resilient, and we hope he will successfully navigate the operation and commence his recovery journey.”
In a notable accomplishment in August, Lee added to his racing accolades by clinching the Prix Morny at Deauville aboard Venetian Sun. Throughout the summer, he also secured significant wins with horses like Royal Champion, Al Qareem, and Convergent.
Despite being on a winning streak with his last four rides, Lee was on suspension when the accident occurred in Greece during his family trip, followed by a visit to Scotland. Burke, taken aback by the news, remarked, “I had no idea he was into motorbikes. It’s a terrible incident, but it could have been much worse.”
Lee’s equine ventures in Britain in 2025 amounted to £2.3 million, with Al Qareem, a robust stayer, contributing £237,857 from four triumphs. Originating from south-east London, Lee, not hailing from a racing background, comes from a working-class family.
His exceptional race-reading abilities were exemplified by successive wins in the Cambridgeshire, a highly competitive handicap race, astride Boiling Point and Liberty Lane, both trained by Burke.
Well-wishers have flooded messages of support for Lee, who remains hospitalized in Edinburgh. One supporter expressed, “Wishing Clifford Lee a speedy recovery. He has been outstanding this season, under the guidance of Karl Burke and independently. A significant opportunity may await him shortly.” Another supporter added, “Hoping Clifford Lee makes a full recovery from this unexpected mishap.”
