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'I stood up and passed out' - Angus Villiers back after puncturing liver in fall

Angus Villiers: out since fall at Wolverhampton in November
Angus Villiers: out since fall at Wolverhampton in NovemberCredit: John Grossick

Apprentice jockey Angus Villiers is set to return to action at Southwell on Wednesday after recovering from a punctured liver suffered in a fall at Wolverhampton in November.

Villiers was catapulted off the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Arabian Warrior after the four-year-old came into contact with Baladio in the early stages of the 1m6f handicap.

"I remember the fall clearly," Villiers said. "I clipped heels and went over and then I stood up and passed out. I blame myself but it's not the first time something like that has happened on a racecourse.

"I punctured my liver and bruised my lung but thankfully managed to avoid any broken bones. I was in hospital for a week and was then out for two weeks before I started vomiting up blood.


Southwell Wednesday card


"I went to hospital in London where they deal with a lot of stab victims and they ended up doing an operation on my liver to stop the bleeding from one of my arteries."

Villiers had established himself as one of the Flat's brightest young riding talents and was rewarded for his efforts with a first ride for Godolphin aboard Arabian Warrior.

The jockey said: "I had been so happy to get a first ride for Godolphin and so for it go like that was pretty awful and frustrating because getting those rides helps your career a lot."

Villiers rides Puchita in a 6f handicap and Drakefell in the 5f seller, both for trainer Antony Brittain, at Southwell and is already looking ahead to some bigger rides in the spring.

He added: "I'm buzzing to be back and I've got a couple of rides for Antony Brittain at Southwell on Wednesday. I've hopefully got a ride for Richard Spencer on Saturday and could also be in line for a ride in the Lincoln as well for him, all being well."


Read more:

Pointing to return in England next month but Irish resumption remains uncertain

Danny McMenamin rides out his claim and turns attention to conditionals' title

'It's been a long road' – Liam Jones to return after overcoming serious injuries


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Tom WardRacing Post Reporter

Published on 24 February 2021inNews

Last updated 10:39, 24 February 2021

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