Turner passed fit to resume race-riding

HAYLEY TURNER has been passed fit to resume race-riding following a hearing with the BHA's medical appeals panel, chaired by Professor David Silk, in London on Thursday night.

The rider suffered head injuries in a fall on the gallops in March, after which she was informed by Dr Michael Turner, the BHA's chief medical advisor, that she would not be allowed to reapply for her licence until 12 months had elapsed from her accident.

Turner, who was accompanied at her appeal by neurosurgeons, successfully contested that decision and will resume riding at Ascot on Friday.

"Following a hearing of the medical review panel, having heard the latest medical reports, they have recommended that Hayley Turner be granted a licence," said spokesman Paul Struthers.

 

"Therefore Hayley Turner will be free to ride from Friday."

Turner was understandably delighted with the decision and keen to express her gratitude toher many supporters.

She said: "I am obviously over the moon with the decision and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me over the last few months, especially Dr Kirkpatrick and the other doctors and Justin Wadham.

"I would also like to thank my mother for putting up with all my moods for the last few months.

"I am so looking forward to Friday and riding for Michael Bell, who has been so supportive."

Turner is set to ride Prompter and Great Charm at Ascot, both of whom are trained by Bell, who was also delighted with the news.

Bell said: "I'm very happy with the news. It's been so frustrating forHayley as we have had the neurosurgeons' reports recommending that she is fit to ride for three weeks but she has just been waiting for an appeal date.

"It's been frustrating to have to sit and wait but we're delighted with the decision.

"She's going to ride two at Ascot on Friday and she's very excited to be back where she belongs. Hopefully now it will be onwards and upwards."

Turner chalked up her landmark century of winners last year and had partnered 11 winners on the all-weather this year before her fall, in which she sustained memory loss and bruising to the brain.