Sad news as Davy Condon is forced to quit racing due to spinal injury

Second spinal concussion in a year signals immediate retirement

Earlier this week we brought you news on the progress of Robbie McNamara who is trying to recover from a horror fall at Wexford earlier this month that has left him in a wheelchair.

The Limerick man suffered a number of worrying injuries but the jockey himself is hopeful once the swelling goes down he will be once again able to walk and resume his life.

Anytime a jockey falls is always a worrying time and it seems that Davy Condon has suffered just one heavy fall too many in his career with medical advice now encouraging him to quit the sport.

Condon has been out of action after coming off Portrait King in the Grand National at Aintree three from the finish. Initially it was believed that he had suffered only concussion during the fall.

However according to a statement on the Turf Club website issued by chief medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick this afternoon, Condon is set to quit the sport immediately,

‘Davy Condon suffered a spinal injury in a fall during the Grand National at Aintree. This was on the background of a previous spinal concussion from which he had recovered fully and had been passed fit to ride by our Consultant Neurologist.’

‘Davy was reviewed yesterday by Dr Brian Murray, Consultant Neurologist, on behalf of the Turf Club.’

‘Dr Murray has recommended that Davy retire from horse riding, be it professional or recreational, due to the risk of further spinal injury.’

‘Davy has been referred by Dr Murray for a Neurosurgical opinion as he has an ongoing disc lesion in his neck.’

‘Davy has fully accepted the medical advice and will be liaising with the Irish Jockeys’ Trust with a view to future career options.’

Condon suffered a very heavy fall last August when he broke three vertebrae when unseated from Flaxen Flare in Mallow while he also suffered similar injuries in 2007 at Punchestown. The jockey has told the Racing Post that he will not be able to do anything with horses due to the nature of his injury

‘I was kind of half expecting it. I was hoping that I might still be able to ride out, but he told me I can’t even exercise horses, that it’s too dangerous.’

Very Sad to hear that Davy Condon has had to retire because of injury. Top class jockey and guy! Wish him all the best!

— Sam Twiston-Davies (@samtwiston) April 23, 2015