McDonald’s dream shattered

IRISHMAN PJ McDonald’s dream of competing under the Union Jack in the upcoming Premier Gateway International Jockeys Challenge in Singapore this month was shattered when he was injured in a freak accident on Monday.

McDonald fractured his left ankle and right heel as he was thrown off Westward Ho in the paddock at Newcastle racecourse.

He will be replaced in Team UK by countryman Fran Berry.

The challenge – presented by South Africa’s Phumelela Gaming & Leisure and Tabcorp, together with their international subsidiary Premier Gateway International (PGI), and hosted by Singapore Turf Club – will be contested at Kranji Racecourse on Tuesday September 25.

Replacement Berry won the Chester Cup aboard Magic Circle in May this year.

The pair followed it up with a victory in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown, comfortably beating the wellfancied Weekender, ridden by Frankie Dettori.

Describing this week’s accident, the disappointed McDonald said: “I’m not entirely sure what happened.

“The horse went down first then reared up and I fell quite heavily. I’ve fractured my left ankle and my right heel, so it’s a fair combination of injuries.”

Asked about a potential time frame for his return to action, the jockey said he has to go for more X-rays in two weeks, but the initial diagnosis is that he will be out of action for about 12 weeks.

McDonald had already ridden 100 winners this season and looked well on course to better the 128 winners he rode last season.

In the race immediately before the injury, he landed that 100th victory, aboard Hard Taskmaster.

He said: “It just goes to show the ups and downs of this game.

“I rode a double at Newcastle last night, got my 100th winner of the year and an hour later I’m on a stretcher in hospital.

“It’s one of those things and you have to take the rough with the smooth.

“I know there’s a lot of people worse off and I just need to keep going and get myself back as soon as possible.’ –