Injured King is back in saddle
JOCKEY Dan Griffin has made a stunning return to riding four months after suffering a broken neck.
The man dubbed The King of the Coast told the Bulletin last month he feared his career in the saddle was over but specialists have told him he was free to ride again.
“The specialist says my neck is 80 per cent right and it won’t get any better,” he said.
“If I was a footballer they would send me back on to the field and there is a lot more contact in football so it’s a bit of a relief.
“It was the highlight of my month. I was really nervous going into the appointment.
“I didn’t want to end up in a wheelchair. But to know I could play a game of football, that is enough for me.”
Griffin broke the C5 vertebrae in his spine on May 19 when he was pushed into a metal railing on the starting barriers at the Gold Coast after the Chris Wallertrained Lilakai reared.
The 37-year-old, who has won eight Gold Coast premierships, returned to trackwork yesterday in Brisbane and is already in talks with trainers from Aquis Park to begin work there too.
Griffin said his aim was to be back at the races within a month.
“I’m pretty fit so if I can get back earlier than I definitely will,” he said.
Griffin revealed he would have to ride with multiple injuries in his left arm after doctors discovered they missed some areas of his shoulder during surgery to fix it last year.
“My shoulder does require surgery but through a lot of begging and pleading they have let me put that off,” Griffin said.
“The bicep muscle has pulled off the bone and there is another tendon that has released off the bone in the shoulder.
“It’s not structural and won’t stop me riding to my full ability. It just causes me irritation after the races.
“Eventually I’ll need surgery on it but I’m pretty determined to keep punching through.
“I’m at the prime of my career and I don’t want to be out any longer than I have already been out. It’s something I can hopefully get done at the end of my career.”
Doctors have told Griffin there was an increased risk of injury if he fell again but the jockey declared he wouldn’t stop riding until he won a Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
“Riding is all I know and love,” Griffin said. “It’s my passion and so you tend to put that stuff behind you.
“I’ve won the premierships at the Gold Coast but I’d like to go out with a few highlights of Group races and the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. I have a few goals set.
“The Magic Millions is one I have wanted to win from way back.
“Until I can win a Magic Millions, my boots will not be getting hung up.”