Jockey Brian Toomey fears his horse racing career could be over following the horrific fall that left him fighting for his life.
The 24-year-old had half his skull removed to treat swelling on his brain as he lay in an induced coma in the intensive care unit at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital.
Toomey was riding race favourite Solway Dandy when he took a tumble during a hurdle race at Perth Racecourse on July 4.
The Yorkshire-based jockey says he is worried that a metal plate, which is due to be inserted in his skull later this month, could rule him out of returning to the sport.
He added that he is unable to remember the final minutes of the race due to the horrific head injuries he received. Although he has said he feels “99% normal”, doctors have restricted his occupational therapy programme to light gym work.
Mr Toomey, who is currently recuperating at Oaksey House in Berkshire, which treats injured jockeys, said it would be up to doctors whether or not he could race again.
He said: “I feel 99% OK, but it’s very hard to prove that to doctors and nurses unfortunately.
“After a head injury you need lots of occupational therapy and I was in hospital a long time and I was struggling being in hospital, so I wasn’t putting 100% into my therapy.
“I’m only 24 and I want to be back being a jockey, but I don’t know any jockeys with metal plates in their head I don’t know if I’ll pass with the racecourse doctor. I’m very optimistic, but unfortunately it won’t be my choice.”
He said he would be “devastated” if he was no longer able to race: “If it was the end of my career I would be very upset.
“I was never any good in school and I’ve never wanted to do anything else that didn’t involve racing. It’s what I’m worried about, but I wouldn’t like to get an answer now because my recovery would just take longer.”
He added that his girlfriend’s father had ensured he was still part of the industry by getting him to enter horses for upcoming races.
“If I can’t race I’ll still be involved in horses, but I don’t know what I would do I haven’t even thought that far.
“I’m lucky because my girlfriend Amy Ryan, her father Kevin really rates me and when I go home at weekends he’s had me doing entries and declarations and things like that.”
He also said that he had no memory of the accident and his recall before being transferred to a hospital in Middlesbrough is hazy.
He said: “I remember getting on the horse and I remember half way round the race but unfortunately I had a fair bang to the head so I can’t remember about a minute before it or afterwards. I didn’t come into myself until I was in Middleborough.”