Champion jockey Anthony Delpech damages spinal cord in SA Classic fall

South African champion Anthony Delpech underwent an operation in a Johannesburg hospital on Tuesday for a serious back injury he suffered in the SA Classic at Turffontein last Saturday.

Delpech, 49, rode 5-1 shot Majestic Mambo in the Classic and was making ground rapidly when he went for a gap at the two-furlong marker. His mount seemed to clip heels and gave Delpech a heavy fall. He was stretchered off and taken to the Milpark Hospital in an ambulance.

Early x-rays suggested nothing was broken but his wife Candice reported: ”He is in agony and it breaks my heart to see him in such pain. He has pins and needles in his arms and legs, possibly nerve damage and he had concussion.”

Subsequent medical examinations revealed the injuries are much more serious injuries than first thought and, according to his agent Deez Dyanand, he has been diagnosed with “a disc herniation and a damaged spinal cord”.

Dyanand added: “It is devastating news but, like a true champion, he remains positive and thanks his family, friends and fans for their well wishes and support.”

The Seychelles-born rider made his Shergar Cup debut at Ascot last year, riding the John Best-trained Glenys The Menace to victory in the Classic. Riding for the Rest of the World team, Delpech finished fourth in the race for the Silver Saddle, while his team were runners-up behind Great Britain and Ireland.

Anthony Delpech rides Glenys The Menace to victory in the Shergar Cup Classic in August 2017Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Delpech was champion for the first time in 1998-99 when he set a South African record of 334 winners. He was champion again in 2002-03 and again last season. He is well clear in this year's title race on 136 winners and has won the country’s biggest race, the Durban July, four times.

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