Walsh crushes vertabra Jockey Ruby Walsh will be out of action until at least September having crushed a vertebra in his neck at Killarney yesterday. Walsh was riding Friendly Society for trainer Michael Hourigan in the Race Club at The Malton Handicap Hurdle, when the gelding fell at the first hurdle. Walsh did subsequently walk back to the weighing room but speaking this afternoon, Walsh’s sister and agent Jennifer Walsh said “Ruby was very sore immediately after his fall and went to get his neck looked at in Cork University Hospital today. He has crushed a vertebra in his neck and has also torn a ligament off a vertabra.” “He will be out of action until Listowel Festival time (September) and is currently wearing a collar-support around his neck.” Yesterday’s serious injury is the latest to hit Walsh who only returned to action on March 4. Walsh, who will miss the Galway Festival for the second consecutive year, broke his leg in a fall from Corrick Bridge at Down Royal last November, having previously fractured his arm in three places in a fall from Celestial Halo at Aintree in April 2010. Thomas Weekes
