Promising apprentice jockey Tajay Suckoo has been forced out of the saddle for at least five weeks following a training ground mishap that left him with a fractured ankle.
The incident occurred during a routine morning gallop when Suckoo’s mount, a young and inexperienced horse, became unsettled near the backstretch. Spooked by the unexpected sight of another horse lying motionless ahead, the animal veered abruptly into the inner rail, unseating Suckoo in the process.
Emergency personnel responded promptly, transporting the injured rider to the hospital where X-rays confirmed the break. The ankle has since been cast, and doctors have advised a period of strict rest before any reassessment.
Suckoo, who has been steadily climbing the national rankings, admitted the crash came as a shock but remains grounded. “It’s not the kind of pause I was hoping for, but I know it’s part of the risk,” he said. “The road back starts now.”
He also expressed frustration with the lengthy delay in receiving medical attention after the fall, calling for swifter response protocols in future incidents involving track riders.
With competition on hold, Suckoo will now begin a period of recovery and rehabilitation, aiming to return stronger later in the season.
