BLACK FOR MORE

History maker is on mend after surgery on her hip and ankle

CHELTENHAM and Grand National hero Rachael Blackmore has undergone surgery after suffering hip and ankle fractures in a fall at Killarney.

The Tipperary jockey was on board Merry Poppins in the Download The Boylesports App Handicap Hurdle on Friday at the Kingdom racetrack, and was rushed to hospital with serious leg injuries.

And the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board have given an update into her condition, confirming that Blackmore is in good spirits after going under the knife on Firday night.

“Rachael Blackmore sustained a fractured ankle and hip injury following her fall in Killarney on Friday evening. She has had surgery overnight and is in good spirits this morning,” IHRB senior medical officer Jennifer Pugh said in a tweet.

The IHRB confirmed last night that Blackmore was taken to hospital with Dr Richard Downey, who was at the racetrack, saying she has been transferred to Tralee Hospital.

“Rachael Blackmore is being taken to Tralee Hospital for further assessment on an upper leg injury following a fall in Race 4 at Killarney. She is fully conscious.”

Blackmore had already raced two winners that day and was set to scoop another victory before falling and was treated for over half an hour on the track.

Blackmore is the current favourite to scoop the RTE Sportsperson of the year award after finishing as top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival and riding the Grand National winner (left).