Jockey Kaidan Brewer, who earlier this year added an international Grade 1 victory in Malaysia to his growing career record, is in trauma high care at Milpark Hospital after suffering a serious fall at Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday.
Brewer fell during Race 5 at the Johannesburg track on 12 September 2026 and was subsequently airlifted to Milpark Hospital, where he is receiving specialist medical attention.
His family has confirmed that doctors are monitoring bleeding on his brain.
Who is Kaidan Brewer?
Brewer is a South African professional jockey who came through the South African Jockey Academy and has built a career riding at some of the country’s major racecourses.
He was identified as a promising apprentice early in his career. In 2021, SA Horseracing profiled Brewer as an apprentice at the South African Jockey Academy, where he was in his third year of training.
His first recorded South African runner came on 16 August 2020, and his career statistics have since grown to 160 wins from 2,264 starts, according to Racing and Sports.
Brewer’s career has also moved beyond South Africa, with international opportunities becoming an increasingly important part of his development as a jockey.
A major international breakthrough
One of the biggest achievements of Brewer’s career came in March 2026 when he partnered Guru Fight to victory in a Grade 1 race in Malaysia.
The win was reported as a significant milestone for the South African rider, adding an international Grade 1 victory to his résumé.
The achievement followed earlier international exposure, with Brewer spending time riding in Malaysia and gaining experience outside the South African racing circuit.
His progress has made him one of the South African riders whose careers are increasingly being followed beyond the country’s borders.
What happened at Turffontein
Brewer was riding at Turffontein on Saturday when he was involved in a fall during Race 5.
He was airlifted to Milpark Hospital after the incident, where he was admitted for further medical assessment and treatment.
A statement issued by his father, Andrew Brewer, on behalf of the family confirmed that the jockey has since been moved to Trauma High Care.
“Dear Racing Community,
We want to provide an update on Kaidan following his fall. He is currently at Milpark Hospital where Kaidan has just been placed in Trauma High Care, where medical staff are closely monitoring some bleeding on the brain. He also sustained severe facial bruising and a slight cheekbone fracture.”
The family said Brewer is receiving specialised medical care and that doctors are closely monitoring his condition.
“He is receiving the best possible medical attention, and the care team is keeping a close watch on his condition.”
Family asks for prayers and support
The update comes as messages of concern and support continue to circulate through the racing community.
Brewer’s family thanked those who have reached out following the accident and asked supporters to continue keeping him in their thoughts and prayers.
“We appreciate the overwhelming outreach, love, and support from everyone during this time.
Please keep Kaidan in your thoughts and prayers as he navigates this critical first day of recovery.”
The family said they would provide further information as they receive updates from Brewer’s medical team.
“We will share further updates as we receive them from his medical team.
Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers.”
A career now on hold
Brewer’s fall comes at a particularly significant point in his career.
After progressing through the South African Jockey Academy and establishing himself as a professional rider, his international Grade 1 success in Malaysia represented another step forward in a career that has increasingly taken him beyond South African racing.
For now, however, the focus is firmly on his recovery as he remains under close medical supervision at Milpark Hospital.
The racing community is awaiting further updates from his family and medical team.
