Mark Enright partnering New River to win at Kilbeggan on Friday© Photo Healy Racing
Champion conditional rider Mark Enright is facing the prospect of three months on the sidelines after fracturing three vertebrae in a fall at Kilbeggan on Friday evening.
Enright was taken to the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore after the Andy Oliver-trained Jabus took a heavy fall when leading three out in the three-mile handicap hurdle.
Turf Club doctor Adrian McGoldrick explained the extent of the injury saying, “Mark has a stable fracture of his T2, T3 and T4 vertebrae. He doesn’t require surgery but will be in a brace for about ten to twelve weeks.
"All going well he should be able to ride a few weeks after that following some physiotherapy.
“He may get home this evening or else tomorrow from Tullamore, and to be honest when you see the fall it could have been a lot worse.”
The Co. Limerick native burst onto the National Hunt scene taking the conditional riders title last season with 34 winners, and was already on the ten winner mark this term having won the mares maiden hurdle earlier on the Kilbeggan card aboard New River for his boss Dessie Hughes.
Enright’s agent Alan Donoghue said, “It’s such a pity for Mark as he was flying with the conditional riders championship last season and a great start to this season. Still it could have been worse, and at least he’ll be back riding in two to three months.”
