Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey Robbie Power is set to be out of action for up to six weeks, after suffering a fractured vertebrae in a fall last week in Ballinrobe.
The Summerhill, County Meath native came off the Joseph O'Brien-trained Anywayyoulookatit during a Handicap Hurdle at the County Mayo course on Tuesday last.
Power confirmed his doctor's news of the extent of his injuries today on Twitter:
"Just been to see my orthopedic specialist and unfortunately will be out of action for 4-5 weeks with a fractured T7 vertebrae from fall in Ballinrobe #lifeofajockey"
Just been to see my orthopedic specialist and unfortunately will be out of action for 4-5 weeks with a fractured T7 vertebrae from fall in Ballinrobe #lifeofajockey 🙈🙈
— Robbie "Puppy" Power (@Robbie_Power_) June 4, 2019
Power's mount was impeded at the first during the www.mchale.net Handicap Hurdle, and the decorated jockey hasn't raced since. He had won at the venue the previous day on the 7-to-4 favourite Zoffalee in the Bank of Ireland Handicap Hurdle.
The Meath man isn't the only big name jockey out of action at the moment. Barry Geraghty remains off the course following a fractured right leg at Aintree at the beginning of April.
At the time Geraghty said, "I'd only be guessing at this stage, but I'll probably be at least 10 to 12 weeks on the sidelines."
Power won his first race in 2001 when he rode 'Younevertoldme' for Jessica Harrington at Punchestown. He has since gone on to ride some of the great names in the sport, including 'Sizing John' and 'Supasundae'.
He spoke recently to Off the Ball about a horrific eye injury that almost cut short his career. He said on his recovery period, "I was driving home in the car, looking out the goggles and everything was great. I could see - no double-vision and I was down to Jessie's the next morning, schooled over the hurdles and it felt like I'd won the Gold Cup. I could see perfectly straight."