Former Derby winning jockey Ray Cochrane has insisted that he will ride again despite receiving a string of injuries this year that have kept him out of action since August 31.
The jockey aggravated the back injury he suffered in a fatal plane crash on June 1, where he helped fellow rider Frankie Dettori escape from the blazing wreckage in which the pilot perished, as well as injuring his face and neck, in a fall after racing at Salisbury in August.
Cochrane has not ridden since and missed the chance of a Classic winner when Arctic Owl, whom he has partnered in the past, won the Irish St Leger at the Curragh last month.
But despite being out of action for so long, Cochrane is maintaining his fitness routine and is planning to return as soon as his physical condition allows him to.
He told the BBC on Friday: 'This year I`ve had three falls and the crash - I`ve just been unlucky.
'The day after I returned I had a fall and then I had another fall at Salisbury where I got kicked.
'It`s a very strict, dedicated lifestyle and you have to be very focused on the way you live.
'I will ride again whenever it`s safe to do it.
'You wouldn`t want to come back and have another accident and maybe not walk again - I`ve got the rest of my life to lead!'
