Champion jockey James McDonald has been sidelined for the next month after additional scans of an injury sustained last Friday at Wyong revealed it to be more severe than initially anticipated.
McDonald took to social media on Tuesday afternoon to announce the news.
— James McDonald (@mcacajamez) September 5, 2023
The timing couldn’t be worse for McDonald, who is set to miss key feature meetings as the spring racing season heats up.
With the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington scheduled for October 7, this situation puts time pressure on McDonald, who is set to partner Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior for his Australian debut as he builds towards the Group 1 Cox Plate later that month.
“Many thanks for all your support and well wishes after my fall at Wyong on Friday,” McDonald said.
“The injury was more severe than first thought.
“Doctors have advised me to take the next month off riding to recover, and hopefully, I’ll be back for the remainder of the spring.”
