Apprentice Wesley Joyce 'stable' in intensive care after heavy fall at Galway

Promising teenage apprentice Wesley Joyce is said to be in a "stable" condition in intensive care at University Hospital Galway after a heavy fall at the Galway festival on Thursday.

It appeared as though the 19-year-old jockey's mount Red Heel stumbled at the road crossing about a furlong and a half into the Listed Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes, unseating the 7lb claimer into oncoming runners.

Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board senior medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh said on Friday: "Wesley's condition has further stabilised overnight. The majority of his injuries are in his chest and he will remain sedated in ICU to rest and be monitored over the coming days.

"The IHRB wish to reiterate our thanks to the team at University Hospital Galway and racecourse doctor, Professor [Oliver] McAnena, for their excellent care at the racecourse and in the hospital."

In From The Cold: a winner for Wesley Joyce and trainer Mick Mulvany at Leopardstown last yearCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Joyce's family expressed their gratitude to all on track and at the hospital for "their swift actions", as well as to those who had sent well wishes.

A native of Moyross, County Limerick, Joyce became involved in the sport through a Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) outreach programme in conjunction with the Moyross Youth Academy.

After being identified as having an ability in the saddle during the urban equine project, he was later transferred for a work placement to the yard of Johnny Murtagh, who described Joyce as "very natural on a horse".

That link-up with Murtagh almost provided the teenager with a dream start to his career when beaten a head on the stable's Misterio on his first ride at Dundalk in February 2021.

Crowns Major and Wesley Joyce, winners at last year's Galway festivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Joyce went on to partner two winners for Murtagh but has developed a fruitful association with Mick Mulvany, winning eight times from 133 rides for the Meath-based trainer, including two on Red Heel.

Thursday's mount was Joyce's first in Listed company, returning to the scene of his biggest success at Galway, where he partnered the Emmet Mullins-trained Crowns Major to win the €100,000 Galway Shopping Centre Handicap last year.

Joyce had recently hit a purple patch with three of his six winners this season arriving in the last 12 days.

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