Donagh O'Connor fractures neck in Cork fall but allowed home from hospital

Donagh O'Connor has fractured his neck following a horror fall at Cork on Saturday but trainer Johnny Levins reported the young rider to be in good spirits after bringing him home from Cork University Hospital on Sunday evening.

The nasty injury occurred at the halfway mark of the 6f maiden as his mount, Unconscious Mind, clipped heels and came down.

Levins tweeted on Sunday: "The results of his scans have revealed a non-threatening fracture in his neck. We are taking this as a positive result from what could have been a very bad outcome. We would like to thank all for your well wishes."

Speaking to the Racing Post, the trainer added: "We were with him all day yesterday and last night and it was great when the neurologist came around on Sunday to give him the all-clear to travel in a car.

"He is in a little bit of pain still but he is in good spirits. I have always thought the world of Donagh as a rider and the timing of this couldn't be worse as he was starting to get a lot of outside rides. But he will be back, I have no doubt, and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. He is a terrific talent."

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