Jim Crowley recovering from surgery after sustaining a pelvic and leg fracture in heavy fall

Jim Crowley is recovering from surgery after sustaining pelvic and leg fractures in a heavy fall at York on Sunday.

Crowley's mount Almeraq came down in the feature Garrowby Stakes, while Trevor Whelan was brought down on Tiger Bay and has suffered an ankle fracture. The two riders were taken to Leeds General Infirmary Hospital.

The Injured Jockeys Fund released a statement with an update on their condition. It read: "Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan were taken to Leeds General Infirmary Hospital after a fall on the Flat at York racecourse on Sunday afternoon.

"Jim sustained a pelvic and leg fracture and after initial treatment to stop internal bleeding on Sunday, he underwent surgery yesterday to stabilise his fractures. He is doing well post operation, is in good spirits and will remain in hospital for the time being.

"Trevor has a complex ankle fracture and was placed in a cast in Leeds General Infirmary. He is seeing a specialist ankle surgeon in London today to plan his surgery."

David Noonan: suffered a broken leg at Fontwell on SundayCredit: Getty Images

Jump jockey David Noonan also had surgery on Monday and remains in hospital after he broke his leg at Fontwell on Sunday.

A stewards’ inquiry was held following the opening 2m5½f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle after a number of jockeys were involved in a false start. That led to a delay to the second race and while at the start Noonan received a nasty kick from one of the runners, with fellow rider Sean Bowen citing the delay as a contributing factor.

The statement continued: “David Noonan underwent surgery on Monday at Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton to stabilise a leg fracture. He is doing well post operation and hopes to be discharged soon.

“All three jockeys will require prolonged recovery and rehabilitation. They are extremely grateful for the excellent care they received from the medical teams on the racecourses and would like to thank everybody for their concern.”

What will Crowley miss as Shadwell's retained rider?

It is unclear how long Crowley will be off the track, but Shadwell's retained rider is set to miss a number of big rides between now and the end of the Flat season.

Owen Burrows' stable star Anmaat is set to return to action in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, but he will be without his regular partner for the first time since July 2022, when he was steered to victory in the John Smith's Cup at York by Kevin Stott. 

Anmaat, who defeated Calandagan in last year's Champion Stakes at Ascot, will be ridden on Saturday by Chris Hayes, who landed the Irish 2,000 Guineas for Shadwell with Awtaad in 2016.

Anmaat wins the Champion Stakes under Jim CrowleyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Multiple Group winner Al Aasy is entered in the Group 3 CMG Group Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday, while Crowley will also miss the Ayr Gold Cup on September 20, for which Almeraq and Elmonjed are currently two of the leading fancies.

Crowley has won 173 of his 709 rides (24 per cent strike-rate) for the operation in Britain and Shadwell will now be looking for a number of replacements for the remainder of the season.

William Buick, Richard Kingscote and Jack Mitchell all have six wins apiece for Shadwell in Britain, while the likes of Cieren Fallon, David Egan and Tom Marquand have all been used in the past.

Read more:

'There was a massive mistake made - it didn't need to happen' - Sean Bowen criticises protocol following injury to fellow jockey 

Trevor Whelan breaks leg in three places and Jim Crowley also taken to hospital after frightening mid-race incident at York 

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