Monday 20 March 2017 11:55, UK
Nicky Mackay has been released from hospital after undergoing surgery on a broken femur which is expected to keep him on sidelines for a lengthy period of time.
Mackay was riding the odds-on favourite Royalistic in a mile-and-a-quarter maiden at Chelmsford last Thursday evening and still held every chance entering the final two furlongs.
Inexplicably, the John Gosden-trained colt then hung badly right and unseated his jockey when he crashed through the rails.
Mackay's agent Nigel Baxter confirmed the rider has now returned home to begin what is set to be a long recovery process.
He said: "He had the surgery on Friday and then he came home last night.
"The bone will hopefully take about 12 weeks to heal and then he can begin rehabilitation to get back riding.
"He's a fit, strong, young lad and is making good progress - he's just eager to get back.
"Both the staff at Chelmsford on Thursday night and the hospital staff have been brilliant.
"Mr and Mrs Gosden have been amazingly supportive and Nicky would like to thank them as well as his fellow jockeys, friends, family and owners who have been sending him messages of support."
