'October clearly isn't my month' - another injury blow for Henry Brooke

October really is the cruellest month for Henry Brooke, who is set for yet another spell out of action after a heavy fall at Kelso.

It is the third year in a row the jump jockey has been sidelined as the season gets into full swing.

He suffered his latest injury when falling two out on El Jefe in a hurdle race at Kelso on Saturday.

“I’ve broken five ribs and punctured and collapsed my lung and I’ve got a drain in. I’m feeling well apart from that,” he said from Borders General Hospital on Sunday.

“But October clearly isn’t my month as that’s three seasons now. They say things come in threes, so let’s hope this is the last one.”

Reflecting on the timing of his latest injury, he said: “It’s an absolute nightmare. There are a lot of good horses at Oliver Greenall’s that are about to come out.

Sam's Adventure and Henry Brooke on their way to victory in the Eider ChaseCredit: GROSSICK RACING (racingpost.com/photos)

"I really appreciate all of the messages of goodwill and support I’ve been sent.”

Brooke, who is determined to be back riding in a month, added “My body heals well. They should take the drain out tomorrow and the ribs will mend pretty quickly.

“I’m just going to have to look forward to getting back to the gym and Jack Berry House – let’s hope I’m back in no time. I’m gutted but I hope I’ll be out for only a month.”

Brooke suffered his most serious injury in a schooling fall in October last year, an incident that left him with three broken vertebrae in his neck and was just inches away from leaving him paralysed.

He fought his way back to fitness and just three months later he had a fairytale win on Sam’s Adventure in the Eider Chase at Newcastle.

Brooke had made a good start to the 2021-22 season and had ridden 18 winners at the time of his fall.

It was also in the October of 2016 that Brooke had to be placed in an induced coma after a fall which punctured a lung.

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