A jockey who “died” at Perth racecourse is set to make a return to the sport after beating the longest odds of his life.
Brian Toomey was given just a 3% chance of survival following a tumble from race favourite Solway Dandy in July 2013.
He says doctors told him he was effectively dead on the track for six seconds and then spent two weeks in a coma.
He had a titanium plate fitted to his skull, which he initially feared would prevent him from racing again, but was re-issued with his jockey’s licence 704 days after the accident.
On Sunday he will ride Kings Grey at Southwell Racecourse, Nottinghamshire, in his first race back since injury.
Speaking ahead of his comeback, Toomey said: “The race on Sunday has been my focus for the past two years.
“I could’ve taken the career-ending insurance available to me, but all I wanted to do was be a jockey.
“It’s my passion, it’s an addiction and it’s been my dream since I was a boy to be a jockey it’s a job and a life I love.
“I can’t begin to list the people I want to thank, but I want to go out on Sunday and put in a good performance for them and, of course, my family.”
In order to be re-issued his license, Toomey had to meet the strict medical criteria for fitness to return to race riding and demonstrate his ability to control a horse safely.
However, given the severity of his injuries, further assessments were required in order for him to be passed fit including hearing and vision tests, physiotherapy assessments and appointments and reports from consultants in neuropsychology, neurology and two neurosurgeons.
Dr Jerry Hill, chief medical adviser for the British Horseracing Authority, said: “The fact that Brian is still alive is a testament to the first-class medical care which exists on British racecourses.
“It is very likely that the team of doctors at Perth, with their rapid and decisive response, saved Brian’s life.
“To now be returning to ride again in Britain two years on, and having met all of the demanding criteria required of him to do so, is a quite remarkable story and an illustration of his determination and bravery.”