JOCKEY Eoin Walsh has revealed he SHRUNK after crushing his spine in a horror fall in November.
But the talented jockey is already back riding out and is set for a remarkable return next month.
Walsh, 26, was riding Nation’s Beauty at Chelmsford on November 23 when the filly suffered a fatal injury and threw her rider head first from the saddle.
He was rushed to nearby Broomfields Hospital, and scans revealed he has broken three vertebrae in his back.
As a result of his injuries, Walsh, who rides mainly for top trainer Roger Varian, says he lost half a centimetre in height.
He has been recuperating in Peter O’Sullevan House in Newmarket and was incredibly back in the gym just a WEEK after his fall.
And he is set to reappear in the coming weeks.
He told the Racing Post: “I think I’ll be back in the first week of March, it’s just a case of getting February out of the way and getting a few rides before the start of the season.
“The recovery went well, I was back in the gym at the Peter O’Sullevan House a week after I fell.
“They’ve got a hydrotherapy pool, so I was in the pool on a treadmill taking the weight off my back, there was no impact.
“I had broken three vertebrae and one was 30 per cent crushed, meaning I’d lost half a centimetre in height.”
The jockey paid tribute to the team at Peter O’Sullevan House, one of the main rehab centres of the Injured Jockeys Fund, and to Varian.
He said: “I’m very fortunate to be back riding out in under three months, Peter O’Sullevan House and Roger have been fantastic.
“There was no pressure to be back, just to make sure I was healthy and return when I was ready.
“Whatever (Roger) sends, it is normally a good ride and normally has a chance.
“Obviously with Andrea Atzeni, Dave Egan and Jack Mitchell being the main riders I know my position, but with the one meeting a day rule it has worked out well for me whereby I get the opportunities.”
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
