Nicky Richards in hospital after sustaining multiple injuries in gallops fall

Nicky Richards is "comfortable" in hospital after sustaining multiple injuries in a gallops fall this week.

Mountain rescue was called to the trainer's Greystoke stable near Penrith on Tuesday morning before he was taken by ambulance to Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

The 68-year-old broke his shoulder, pelvis and ribs after his mount, Houston Texas, suffered a heart attack during work.

The trainer's daughter Jo Haynes said on Thursday: "Dad's still in the hospital and will be for another couple of days, I think, but he's comfortable.

"He was riding work and the horse came down with him at speed. He's probably been very lucky because he was going fairly quick when it happened. Unfortunately, the horse had a heart attack and we lost him."

The ten-year-old Houston Texas won five of his 15 chase starts, four of which came at the yard's local track Carlisle, and was a stable favourite.

"Houston Texas was certainly one of my dad's favourite horses, if not the favourite," said Haynes. "It's very sad as he's been a good, old horse and a great character around the place as well."

Houston Texas: a huge loss for the Richards stableCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The early indications are that the former jockey, who had a nasty fall on the gallops four years ago, will not require surgery on his injuries.

"He's broken the scapula [shoulder blade] on the right side on top of his shoulder, four or five ribs and fractured his pelvis as well," said Haynes.

"They said all the fractures look stable, so hopefully he's not going to need any surgery, which is a positive, but it's just going to take time.

"He broke his shoulder on the other side a few years ago. It happens from time to time, unfortunately, with the job we're in. He still loves working the horses, it's all he's ever known.

"We'll try to keep up the good form and keep things going as normal. He's on the phone plenty, anyway, and is still giving out the orders."

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