Flat rider Eoin Walsh is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after a nasty fall on the all weather at Chelmsford on Monday evening, which saw him break two bones in his back.
The young rider was getting his first chance in the blue silks of Godolphin and was on board the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Nation's Beauty, when the filly unfortunately suffered a fatal injury to her leg coming round the home turn in the 1m2f novice contest, which then through Walsh to the ground.
The youngster went head first into the Polytrack surface and in the moment also bought down fellow rider Ryan Tate who was behind him on board the big priced Norwegian Red.
There was a lengthy delay at the Essex track with both riders suffering serious injuries and it was revealed that the 26 year old was taken to Broomfields Hospital in Chelmsford and was kept overnight.
Eoin has fractured his Spine in 2 places he is very sore but in good spirits he will be back soon @ChelmsfordCRC @IJF_official pic.twitter.com/hBAqhPmJWe
— Kieran O Neill (@ONaillers2010) November 23, 2020
(Credit Racing Post) He said: "Unfortunately I've done [broken] my T6 and T7 vertebrae, and my right elbow has come up like a balloon. My face is also pretty bashed up, which is no surprise as I hit the ground quite hard. They say I could be out for two to three months, but I'm not complaining as it could have been so much worse."
Speaking about the incident itself he added: "It all happened so quick as she went down immediately and I was knocked out for a while.
"It was frustrating as it was my first ride for Godolphin and I was going well at the time. I'm not saying I was definitely going to win, but I would have given Tarroob plenty to think about.
"Before his fall, Walsh had been on target to beat his previous best annual tally of 21 winners. He said: "I had 19, plus one bumper win, to my name and it had been going well thanks to Roger Varian, who I ride out for. Maybe I can try again next year."
As for Ryan Tate who was also injured in the event, he will be facing time off the track along with Walsh but for a shorter amount of time as x-rays showed that he had fractured a small bone in his ankle.
We wish both riders a speedy recovery.