Mid-race drama as Birkett dislocates shoulder when in contention at Southwell

Jockey Shelley Birkett was coming to terms with another injury setback on Monday after dislocating her left shoulder during a race at Southwell on Sunday.

To make matters worse, Birkett's mount Sea Shack was in contention when the injury occurred approaching the two-furlong pole in the 7f handicap won by Mister Freeze.

The 16-1 shot, trained by Birkett's mother Julia Feilden, still managed to finish fourth despite limited assistance from the saddle in the closing stages.

Shelley Birkett: has been unlucky with injuries throughout her careerCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Birkett had her shoulder treated at King's Mill Hospital in Nottinghamshire before being driven back to Newmarket by boyfriend and fellow rider Dylan Hogan.

"I'm quite sore as it's an injury I did before in a fall at Yarmouth a couple of years ago and it was unfortunate it came out while I was just using the whip rather than in a fall," Birkett said.

"It's a bit concerning that it came out so easily, it's just a weak spot I suppose, and we'll just go back to the drawing board.

"The horse was running well and I was worried people might have thought I'd mistaken the winning line or something because you can't really tell what happened on the telly.

"I was lucky the horse was an absolute gentleman and looked after me by pulling himself up after the race as I wasn't in a position to do it."

Birkett's injury woes

July 2015 Broken leg after being kicked in an accident at David O'Meara's yard

August 2018 Dislocated shoulder in an unseat at Yarmouth

April 2019 Dislocated hip and broken collarbone in fall at Yarmouth

January 2020 Dislocated shoulder mid-race at Southwell

Birkett, who rode her 100th winner last August, has had an injury-blighted career and will have to wait to find out the full extent of her latest setback.

"It's a bit early to tell how long I'll be out for as these injuries can sometimes be fixed in the gym," she said. "I'll get up to Peter O'Sullevan House and get myself sorted out again."

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