Sarah Borg, the 22-year-old jockey who fell off her horse last Sunday, has taken a turn for the better, her father, Joseph, said.

"We're in for the long haul but she has been brought out of the medically induced coma, which is positive," he said.

Speaking from hospital, where he and Sarah's mother, former Maltasong chairman Grace Borg, have been keeping vigil in the past days, Mr Borg said that although she is not yet talking, she was opening her eyes.

It is still early to determine how she will progress in the long term but things are looking brighter than three days ago, when the family feared the worst.

The young jockey, described by her father as "crazy about horses", has been riding since she was eight: "She spends a lot of time with horses and used to race every Sunday".

Ms Borg was thrown off her horse during a race at about 3 p.m. on Sunday. Witnesses said she did not move after the fall and was suffering a head trauma. It is still uncertain whether her injuries were the result of the fall or whether she was hit by a horse.

A number of her friends have joined a Facebook group online urging people to believe in the power of positive thinking so that her condition will improve.

Describing her as "one of the simplest girls and the best of best friends" online, Isabelle Borg said her friend's passion is horses and her love for her family and friends.

"I hope she'll be brave and courageous as she always is to win this fight. Get well soon, we're all waiting for you," the message read.

Desiree Schmid, another jockey, wrote of her shock on seeing her friend on the ground, just a metre away: "I hope you have a speedy recovery and hope to see you on the racetrack racing against me soon."