The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
The vagaries of race-riding were never more clearly illustrated than at Naas recently, where in-form local jockey, Mark McDonagh, picked up a nasty injury in a freak accident.
McDonagh went through an unbelievable spell in recent times where his glorious haul included a Cheltenham Festival winner, but he now faces a race against time to be back in the saddle for the start of the high-profile Punchestown Festival on Tuesday, April 26.
He told The Clare Champion, “Unfortunately, it looks like I’ve broken my shoulder blade (scapula). It was just a freak accident when my horse (Barnwick) was brought down on the flat in the bumper.
“A horse slipped-up in front of us and there was no blame attached to anyone involved. It was just one of those things. A fall on the flat is actually worse than a tumble over jumps.
“At least over hurdles or fences you have that second or two to brace yourself for the impact, but on this occasion it just happened in a split-second. The Doctor in A&E told me I’d broken the bone, and I’m due to see a specialist over the coming days.
“It is normally a four-to-six week recovery time for an injury of that nature, but I won’t really know for sure until I get the up-to-date position. We’ll see what the prognosis is and take it from there.”
To rub salt in the wound, McDonagh had six rides booked at Wexford 24 hours later, where one of his intended mounts, R’evelyn Pleasure (3/1), trained in Cork by Sean O’Brien, won the Arctic Tack Stud Handicap Chase in the colours of his dad, Mark McDonagh senior.
“I was disappointed to miss out on riding a winner for my dad, but I’m delighted the horse won for him. We thought he had a very good chance and Charlie O’Dwyer, who stood in for me, gave him a super ride.”
Whatever the outcome of his latest spell on the sidelines, McDonagh will treasure fond memories of the 2021/22 season.
“Never in my wildest dreams could I have envisaged just how successful this season has been. It really was a breakthrough period for me, with a winner at Cheltenham the icing on the cake.
“Obviously, I will do all in my power to be back race-riding as soon as possible, but I cannot complain really as I’ve had such a wonderful run of it.
“My agent, Gary Cribbin, has done a brilliant job and credit to all the owners’ and trainers’ that have supported me. Without them, It wouldn’t have been possible,” he added.
