Chester Williams returns home from intensive care but has 'long rehab ahead'

Jockey Chester Williams has returned home from hospital and is due to start a rehabilitation programme in the next phase of his recovery from a bleed on the brain sustained in a fall on the gallops.

Williams, 25, was taken to intensive care in Plymouth following a schooling accident while he was riding work for his mother and trainer Jane at her South Molton yard in Devon on September 13.

After making progress – when he was "really fighting" according to his mother – he was moved to North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple so his family could avoid a 170-mile round trip to visit him.

Williams is now back at home and will head to the Injured Jockeys Fund's (IJF) Oaksey House facility for his rehabilitation programme.

A statement from Williams, sent by the IJF, said: "Chester Williams has now returned home after his schooling fall on September 13.

"He would like to thank everyone for the incredible support he has received both medically from the doctors, nurses and physios, and personally from his family, friends and the wider racing fraternity.

"While he is now back at home, he is far from recovered and has a long rehab road ahead of him to help with his movement, memory and speech.

"His plan in the near future is to start this next part of his recovery programme at Oaksey House with the help of the IJF team."

'Chester would like to thank everyone for the incredible support'Credit: Ffos Las Racecourse

Williams is not just a conditional jockey to his mother but also plays a leading role in the training operation. Earlier this summer, there were plans for himto join his mother on the licence.

He has ridden 64 winners domestic jumps winners and last season enjoyed his best campaign with 23 successes.

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