Royston Ffrench injured as popular Frankyfourfingers suffers fatal fall

Royston Ffrench is to undergo surgery after a fall at Jebel Ali on Friday left him with a dislocated elbow and fractures to his leg and arm.

Ffrench, a regular visitor to the UAE over the winter, was injured when his mount, the popular eight-year-old Frankyfourfingers, fell when leading the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile.

“I believe he’s going to have an operation on Sunday or Monday,” said Ffrench’s agent Mark Furnass. “I’ve spoken to him and he’s in good spirits in himself but I’ve no idea what timescale he will be out for.”

Ffrench, who scored 14 winners from 247 rides in Britain last year, had already landed a winner and a second on the Jebel Ali undercard before the accident and has been enjoying a good season in the UAE, according to Furnass.

He added: “He rides for Salem Bin Ghadayer and they’ve been having a great season. They were out in the lead when it happened and unfortunately the horse had to be put down as well, so it’s very sad.”

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