Adam McNamara requires shoulder surgery after dramatic mid-race incident

Flat jockey Adam McNamara could miss the rest of the season after requiring surgery on a shoulder injury suffered in a dramatic mid-race incident at Beverley last month.

McNamara was leading the field on Mr Coalville about a furlong and a half out and dislocated his left shoulder as he went to use his whip.

Despite only having the use of one arm, the jockey managed to bring home his mount in second, just under five lengths behind Uncs.

Following an MRI scan and consultation with leading shoulder specialist Geoff Graham in Cardiff, McNamara has opted to have surgery on a shoulder he has dislocated before.

"I'm booked in for an operation next week for a big repair job," he said. "Unfortunately, the recovery time is four months. It's a full month recovery period and then I'll be at Oaksey House every day for rehab, physio and to keep fit. That's the doctor's guide, but I'd hope to be back quicker.

"I did my left shoulder three years ago and was off for two months because of nerve damage. The specialist was very concerned about the way it came out again and said it was likely to happen again. In an ideal world, it'll be fixed for good."

Adam McNamara finished second on Dragon Symbol (near side) in the Sandy Lane StakesCredit: Getty Images/Pool

McNamara rode as an apprentice for Richard Fahey, a period in which he won the 2016 Ebor on the Tony Martin-trained Heartbreak City, before moving south to join Roger Charlton.

After spending two years at Beckhampton House, the 24-year-old linked up with Archie Watson, for whom he has ridden stable stars Dragon Symbol and Mehmento this season.

McNamara, who rode 53 winners in 2016 but has recorded just five this year, said: "Numerically, I wasn't having loads of rides or winners, but I had my first ride in a Classic on Mehmento in the French 2,000 Guineas and came close to a first Group 2 victory on Dragon Symbol in the Sandy Lane.

"Things got tough when I rode my claim out, but I've been riding mainly for Archie and he's given me chances. It's frustrating as I felt I was going the right way and then this happened."

Read more:

Micheal Nolan suffers fractured vertebrae and broken ribs in Southwell fall

'One of the worst breaks he'd seen' – Rawlinson on the mend after two operations

'My foot got caught in the stalls and twisted round' – Kevin Stott faces layoff

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