Espinoza to make return on Monday nearly seven months after breaking neck

After a near seven-month absence, Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza returns to the saddle on Monday at Santa Anita aboard Gallantlystreaming.

Sidelined due to a fractured vertebra in his neck – Espinoza fell from the fatally injured Bobby Abu Dhabi during a workout at Del Mar in July – the road to recovery has been a long and arduous journey for the 46-year-old jockey.

"At first I thought I was done, I really did," said Espinoza, who initially lacked feeling in his left arm and required 24-hour assistance with life's basics, such as shaving, walking, and getting in and out of bed.

"At that point I was thinking, 'This is it'. My health has to come first, and I was thinking, 'What am I going to do with my life?' But about three months ago, it kind of happened overnight. I started feeling better, and I felt like I could make it back. I'm ready. It's good for me to know that I'm 100 per cent and I can come back now and do my job.

"I don't really know anything about this filly I'm riding, but she's dropping in class, and hopefully we can win. I'm excited to get back to my routine and to feel like I have a real job again."

Victor Espinoza: pictured winning the 2015 Kentucky Derby on the brilliant American PharoahCredit: Rob Carr

Espinoza, who has ridden three Kentucky Derby winners – War Emblem (2002), California Chrome (2014), and American Pharoah (2015) – said he and his agent, Brian Beach, are making themselves available to horsemen in the mornings at Santa Anita.

"We want to work as many horses as we can and build our business up," Espinoza said. "It's always tough here, and you have to work hard and show people you are 100 per cent to get their confidence. I feel good, and it's great to be back."

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