'Frustrated' Robbie Power to miss Christmas for first time in 20 years

Leading jockey Robbie Power has been ruled out of the major Christmas festivals as he recovers from a fractured hip suffered at Tramore in October.

The Gold Cup and Grand National-winning rider, who turned 40 in May, originally ruptured a disc in his back in January 2017 but was able to continue riding thanks to an injection at that stage.

However, an attempt to use the same treatment earlier this year did not have the desired effect and surgery was required to rectify the issue in July.

After successfully returning from his back issue with a Grade 3 success on Gin On Lime at Tipperary on October 3, Power was quickly forced out of action again on October 14 after a fall at Tramore.

"It's been a very frustrating six months," Power told sponsors BoyleSports. "I got the back surgery done and that all worked out, and I was only back ten days and got the fall at Tramore."

Robbie Power will miss riding over the Christmas period for the first timeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I fractured my hip and it has been so frustrating. I was back with my hip surgeon in Santry on Wednesday and, unfortunately, I’m not going to make Christmas, which is just more frustration.

"It's going to take a while longer for the fracture in my hip to heal, so it looks like it will be the middle of January before I'm back on a racecourse.

"I'm starting physio next week with Enda King in Santry, so we will see how that progresses over the coming weeks. We can work hard on it and see how it goes."

It will be the first festive period Power has missed and he is now eyeing a return for Gowran Park's historic Goffs Thyestes Chase on January 27.

Power said: "I'm 20 years riding and this is the first time I've had to miss Christmas, but I'm thankful for the little things in life, as I will get to spend Christmas with the family for a change.

"It's frustrating, but there's so much great racing to look forward to. I will aim to come back for maybe the Thyestes in Gowran Park. Then we have the Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Fairyhouse at Easter for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National and Punchestown, so loads to focus on and look forward to."

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