Brooke set for spell on sidelines after schooling fallPosted on Saturday 21st November 2020 @ 13.37

Jockey Henry Brooke will be absent until at least March after breaking three vertebrae in his neck.

Brooke sustained the injury when he fell while schooling at Oliver Greenall's yard in Cheshire.

The 30-year-old initially thought the injury was fairly innocuous and only discovered the extent of the damage after driving himself to hospital.

"I didn't think it was that serious," he told the Racing Post.

"I thought I was being a bit soft. I debated going to Hereford to ride and I thought I'd better not, just to be safe and I drove myself to hospital. It's a good job I did!

"I've broken three vertebrae in my neck. Two are not really anything to worry about but one I've been very lucky that it hasn't slipped or I could have needed an operation. I've also broken two vertebrae in my back.

"So I've got to be in a neck brace for six weeks, then they can start the rehab. I'd say I won't be back on a horse before the end of February. If I can get back for March I'll be lucky."

He added: "I'm very lucky I've been able to walk away from this. A few inches different and I would have been in a wheelchair. I'm lucky to be able to think about getting on a horse."

Article Posted on Saturday 21st November 2020 @ 13.37