FFReNch ReADy FOR The chAlleNge

— A dislocated elbow, fractures to his leg and arm, and seven months away from the racecourse has failed to demoralise Royston Ffrench as the jockey is all set for the coming racing season which gets underway in the UAE on October 26.

Ffrench was hurt in January when Frankyfourfingers suffered a fatal fall in the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile. It took him seven months of rehab to get back on the saddle.

“I’ve been injured for 7 months so I’m looking forward for the season to start,” said the jockey.

“Now, for me it is more of a challenge to succeed. I’ve been race riding now for over a month and I’ve had two winners so I’m not starting fresh on Friday.

“Frankly it (injury) didn’t phase me out. I’m very lucky that I got back in one piece so I’m hoping to get as many winners as possible.”

“The prize money is phenomenal this year so I’m sure, like me, every jockey would want to win it but like I said the main objective is to stay in one piece and ride as many winners.”

“It is very difficult with every jockey when you suffer an injury but I was very fortunate to have the right people and support from friends and family. And, at the rehab team at Jack Berry House they did a marvellous job for me as they do for everybody else. They got me in the right shape of mind physically and mentally,” he said.