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Perth jockey Mitchell Pateman will be sidelined for up to six months after suffering injuries when his mount suffered a heart attack and fell in Saturday’s WA Oaks at Ascot.

Pateman fractured his T12 vertebrae when his mount Asserto suffered a fatal heart attack as she was angling for a run between the leaders 350m from the finish of the Oaks.

Pateman, 23, confirmed on Sunday that he will need at least four months to recover from his injuries.

He may require surgery and will be wearing a brace for at least three months.

““I will be out of action for an extended period. I’m pretty devastated but it could be a lot worse,” Pateman said.

“Others are going through a lot worse than me so I’m just going to get on with it.

“I know what I’ll need to do to get back.

“I’m just so sorry for the connections of Assetro, she was a lovely horse.”