by Alan Jacques
A LIMERICK jump jockey who had part of his skull removed after a near fatal fall at Perth Racecourse in Scotland two years ago is back in the saddle once again.
Following extensive rehabilitation and a rigorous medical assessment procedure, Brian Toomey was relicensed this week as a professional jockey by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
The Manister man sustained serious head injuries, which at the time of the fall on July 4, 2013, were described as “life threatening”. He was in hospital for 157 night before beginning a miraculous journey on the road to recovery.
He was in an induced coma for two weeks in the high dependency unit of Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where part of his skull was removed to reduce swelling on his brain.
“The paramedics said that I was dead for six seconds, but they managed to resuscitate me. Then when I made it to the hospital they thought that I only had a three per cent chance of survival. Now here I am, two years on, ready to race ride again,” Brian told the Limerick Post.
Before being granted his licence, the 26-year-old jockey had to meet the medical criteria for fitness to return to race riding which assessed his fitness to ride, ability to control a horse safely and the risk of further injury if he were to fall.
He had to undergo a series of tests including hearing and vision, physiotherapy assessments and appointments with and reports from consultants in neuropsychology, neurology and two neurosurgeons.
“I know there will be people who will say I’m mad to want to come back but it’s been my dream since I was a boy to be a jockey and it’s a job and life I love. I was absolutely determined that, if I couldn’t make it back, it wouldn’t be through a lack of effort on my part,” the County Limerick jockey explained.
Brian also had to undergo a full medical assessment by the BHA chief medical adviser, Dr Jerry Hill, which assessed not only his physical health but also his mental functions. Following the assessment, and taking into account the opinions of his specialists, Brian was passed as medically fit to ride by Dr Hill.
But it didn’t end there and he was still required to show his physical fitness and capability to ride in a series of tests held at the British Racing School (BRS) and Northern Racing College (NRC), which he successfully completed.
Stating that it was likely that the rapid and decisive response of the medical team at Dundee had saved Brian’s life, Dr Hill said the fact he was now returning to horse racing was a “remarkable story and an illustration of his determination and bravery”.
During his rehabilitation Brian spent periods riding out for trainers such as Nigel Twiston-Davies, Willie Mullins, Enda Bolger and Jonjo O’Neill, as well as a significant period of time at Oaksey House under the care of the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF).
“It’s been a long road back but the one thing that has driven me throughout my recovery, and the main thing that has kept me going, was a desire to be a jockey again, and I am delighted that I’ve been cleared to ride,” Brian explained.
“Just in surviving and overcoming all that I have been through, I feel I have won the biggest and most important race of my life, and anything else is a bonus. I’m going to take my time and work on my fitness before taking my first ride. That’s the next target to aim for and I’ll give it my all to get there.
“I hope what I’ve been through can serve as an inspiration for others who injure themselves and are told they might never return to doing what they love. Work hard and never give up and you just never know what could happen.”
Solway Dandy, the horse involved in the fall with Brian at Perth in July 2013, has won both of his last two races, both at Perth racecourse this April and May.
