Lung Injury Forces Russell Out of Grand National

Irish champion jockey, Davy Russell has been told that he won’t be able to compete in the upcoming Grand National meeting in Aintree on Saturday, following a lung injury he obtained while racing in the recent Cheltenham Festival. Russell was told by the British Horseracing Association that he would have to undergo surgery for the injury from his fall from Un Beau Matin before he was allowed to race again.  The champion jumps jockey was due to ride Joncol on at Aintree, where the Grand National kicks off on Thursday April 4th.

Russell’s fall at Cheltenham occurred on the third day of the competition, after he had managed to ride in two races. The fall took place at the final hurdle of the Coral Cup, and after being checked out at the local hospital, the jockey was found to be suffering from a punctured lung.

“When I got home from Cheltenham I went to see an independent specialist and I asked him if I could ride on for the rest of the season without having an operation. I was told that I could,” recalled Russell. “I rode at Cork on March 21 and have been riding out and schooling since then. On Monday I received a phone call informing me that I was to present myself in England by Thursday concerning the injury.

“I thought everything would be fine and that I could ride in Britain. But when I asked the doctor, he told me that he couldn’t answer that question. This morning I had a call from Dr Michael Turner who told me that I would be unable to ride in Britain until I had an operation.”

The BHA, however, remains adamant that Russell undergoes the operation before racing again in Britain as “standards are very clear on this specific condition as it may recur at any time and could form a potential risk to himself or other jockeys.”

Russell is said to be appalled by the decision, especially since he was cleared to ride in Ireland over the weekend and has taken part in numerous races since Cheltenham.