Eddy Greatrex has been further sidelined with a continuing back problem, which he aggravated on Saturday when parting company with a rearing horse.
Son of National Hunt trainer Warren, Eddy has been responsible for much of Archie Watson's success in the last couple of years, but was caught on the wrong end of the juvenile Dramatic Sands in the parade ring, before the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
(Credit: Racing Post) He said: "I was off for a month earlier in the year as I get cysts wrapped around the bottom of my spine and got rid of the first lot, but had that fall at Ascot on Saturday, which made them come back through the scarring.
"It's my lower back and it's a pain to do anything. It's not great. I had an operation on Tuesday and it went smoothly, but I think I'll have to have another one in six or seven weeks."
Eddy's twin brother Tom added: "The cysts naturally occur and some people get them and some don't. It's the anatomy of people's bodies and they've just come on in the last year, unfortunately.
"Operating is the best way to cure it and I've had two temporary ones, but I think I'm going to get one big one to get rid of them once and for all.
"There's nothing pencilled in yet, but it'll will probably be in two months or so. I was talking to the doctors and surgeons and they think they can come up with a plan to get rid of them for good."
The 21-year-old has rode 63 winners for Lambourn based Watson - more than anyone else, with arguably his most emphatic on Musaddas in the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot on Champions Day in 2015.
A product of Andrew Balding's Kingsclere apprentice academy, Eddy's career has headed to new levels since linking up with Saxon Gate, and has achieved plenty in such a short space of time.
He continued: "I know Archie's flying, but it's one of those things and it's out of everyone's hands. There's nothing I can do apart from sit and suffer and let myself get better. Racing takes up the majority of my time, I love it and it's my life, but at times like this you've got to do the right thing.
"It can be slightly annoying seeing other people riding your horses, but I'm pretty good and what am I going to do? If it's my brother, or Oisin Murphy or Hollie Doyle riding Archie's I'm not too fussed, as long as Archie and the team are doing well - that's the main thing.
"Archie has been fantastic to me, as has the yard in general and the staff. We're getting better horses every season and he's already established himself as a very good trainer, so it's exciting to be a part of a young team that is going to have big winners on big days.
"This has unfortunately happened at the wrong time as I'd just got going from my last operation, but that's life and I'm still breathing, which is the main thing."
We hope to see Eddy Greatrex back in the saddle as soon as possible.