Back in the fray: Josh Moore returns to action on Friday after spinal surgery

Jockey Josh Moore returns to the saddle for the first time since a fall that left him in hospital needing spinal surgery when he takes one ride at Doncaster on Friday.

Moore, 30, has been absent since October 18 when he was knocked unconscious and sustained injuries to his back and ribs in a fall from Botox Has in a novice chase at Plumpton.

The rider spent the next week in hospital, lying almost completely flat on his back, after being forced to miss having an operation on six consecutive days due to other medical emergencies.

Moore eventually underwent a six-hour operation to have screws and rods inserted into his back after fracturing his T4 and T5 vertebrae, with the rider describing the injury as “the one injury I wouldn’t want again” when speaking to the Racing Post in November.

Having completed his rehabilitation, the rider partners Gleno in the 3m½f handicap hurdle for his father, trainer Gary Moore, on Friday. He is also booked to take one ride at Doncaster on Saturday having been engaged on Unanswered Prayers for trainer Chris Gordon in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle.

“I’m looking forward to getting back,” he said. “I had all the various tests at Peter O’Sullevan House about ten days ago and passed all the doctors and surgeons as well. It’s not like I’ve rushed back or anything like that. I’ve been riding out for the last couple of weeks, I’ve been schooling and riding work, so I feel I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do to be back.”

As well as the injury to his spine, Moore, who ran the London Marathon two weeks before sustaining the injury at Plumpton, also suffered from concussion in 2021 and was forced to sit out much of the summer.

The absences have frustrated the jockey, whose main ambition for the coming months is to get the opportunity to compete regularly.

“What I’d really love is a good run into the spring and have a clear time,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll get the chance to ride some nice horses as I’ve missed enough through the winter when they’ve been running well, which has been frustrating.”

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