Saffie Osborne undergoes successful surgery as road to recovery begins

Saffie Osborne will be out of action for the remainder of the year after suffering a broken arm and broken ribs in a horror fall at Windsor on Monday.

Osborne was taken to hospital after her mount in the first division of the mile handicap, Zeyzoun, clipped heels with rival Maykir on the approach to the first bend.

Later on Monday night, Osborne's father, trainer Jamie Osborne, tweeted Saffie Osborne had escaped serious injury, to the relief of the racing community.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Jamie Osborne said: "She's going to be fine. She's got a broken left arm, which is going to be plated this morning, and some broken ribs. Watching the fall, I'll settle for that."

Saffie Osborne had ridden nine winners in her first season, seven of which had been achieved last month. The 7lb claimer had also enjoyed a winner earlier on Monday's Windsor card aboard Pettochside.

Osborne added: "This year was all about gaining experience for her although this was not one of the experiences we were planning. She'll probably stay in hospital for a few days and will have plenty of time to recover for next year."

Later on Tuesday, the rider herself thanked the "incredible" medical staff who attended to her both on the track at Windsor and at Wexham Park Hospital in Buckinghamshire.

Posting on Twitter, she said: "Thanks to you all for your kind messages and well wishes. Although I haven't seen the fall and don't remember it, I feel very lucky to have escaped with only a broken arm, broken ribs and a punctured lung.

"I would like to thank the incredible doctors and paramedics at Windsor Racecourse as well as the surgeons, doctors and nurses at Wexham Park Hospital for all their care and attention that have already put me on the road to recovery."

She added: "The surgery on my arm has gone well and I'm looking forward to getting back in the saddle. See you all in the yard or on a racecourse soon."

Marco Ghiani, who was aboard Maykir, was handed a ten-day ban by the Windsor stewards for careless riding.

The stewards' report said Ghiani had manoeuvred right-handed towards the rail when insufficiently clear, causing Zeyzoun to clip heels and unseat Osborne.

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