Jockey JT McNamara has returned home to Ireland after a horror fall at Cheltenham last year left him hospitalised for 15 months with a serious back injury.
McNamara was on Galaxy Rock at the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup when the horse fell at the first fence. The 37 year old fractured two vertebrae and was immediately taken to hospital. He was moved to a specialist treatment ward and after over a year of rehabilitation he is now considered to have recovered enough to move back home.
The Turf Club released a statement on behalf of JT and his wife Caroline which read, “JT and Caroline wish to thank the doctors, nurses and all the staff at North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport, Merseyside in the UK, for their excellent care, support and treatment during JT’s time in the hospital."
We would also like to thank most sincerely the Turf Club, especially Denis Egan and Dr Adrian McGoldrick. Without the help of the Turf Club, Miriam Wiltshire and the staff of the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, it would not have been possible for JT to return home.
We are truly thankful to all the visitors who came to see JT while in hospital, for all the cards, well wishes and the continued support from everybody.
It has been so overwhelming and again a sincere thank you to all from the both of us.
Hat tip: Irish Independent
