An inspirational jockey’s extraordinary recovery from a horror fall which nearly cost him his life reached a fitting milestone on Friday.
Wesley Joyce was riding at the 2022 Galway Festival when his mount Red Heel, who was at the front of the field, stumbled over a path and unseated the jockey who was thrown into the path of other horses.
His injuries were so catastrophic he was admitted to intensive care at University Hospital, Galway, where he was put on life support.
Joyce was treated for major trauma within his chest, damage to his larynx as well as to his lungs, ribs and collarbone.
After a year’s recovery he made a successful return to the saddle in August 2023 and has added 24 winners since.
The apprentice described his latest win as “very special” after he steered Red Heel to victory for the first time since his horror fall when the pair combined to win a handicap at Down Royal on Friday.
The effects of the fall remain with the jockey only able to speak in a whisper as a result of the damage he sustained to his larynx.
Nevertheless the 22-year-old was keen to spell out how much the success on the Mick Mulvany-trained mare meant to him.
Speaking to RacingTV, Joyce said: “That day, I can’t remember none of it. So to come back to ride a winner on this mare is very special.
“Obviously it wasn’t her fault that day. She paid me back today. For sure when I get that photo I am going to put it on my wall.”