FOR a man who has been given soul-crushing information, Aidan Coleman is remarkably composed when we meet in Moreton-in-Marsh, a stone's throw from his home in the Cotswolds.
The essence of the bad news? "I was a jockey last week, now I'm an ex-jockey," he says.
The beginning of the end came in June last year when Aidan's mount Ascension Day, two lengths ahead in a maiden hurdle at Worcester, ran out at the last, crashing through the wings. Aidan knew his fall was serious - not from the pain, for which jockeys have next-level thresholds - but when he saw the angle of his leg. After exemplary care on the track, he was taken by ambulance to the local A&E, still in his silks, and waited his turn - overnight - to be treated.
The injury to his knee wasn't straightforward; it took two operations and extensive rehab and, come Christmas, he realised progress had stalled, and riding out wasn't working at all. After a consultation with his surgeon the Monday before Cheltenham (his internal calendar is still set to race meetings), scans and discussions that included Jerry Hill, the British Horseracing Authority's chief medical advisor, Aidan was given the simple but devastating news: "This knee is not going to take being a jockey." And just like that, it was all over.
A GED 35, Aidan can acknowledge he's had a good run, while still wanting just a few more years "I wanted to get to 40, that's the cut-off point for jockeys". He's had "literally thousands" of messages of support since the news became public; some advise him to take time to regroup, others congratulate him on his career, and the rest reassure him that whatever comes next will be exciting too. They've all helped but the fact remains.
"It's life-changing for me, I've been a jockey for the best part of 20 years and now I'm not," he says.
Denne historien er fra May 02, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra May 02, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
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Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
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She's a corker
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'Use it or lose it'
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A new way forward
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