Munro Stood Down Until Next Summer

Alan Munro, out of action since suffering a convulsion in August, has been stood down until next summer, but insisted that he will return to the sport.

The jockey has been told he must sit out a 12-month ?observation period' from the date of the incident (August 20), which occurred on a flight to partner Peter Chapple-Hyam's Dutch Art in the Prix Morny at Deauville.

He was told of the news when he attended Horseracing Regulatory Authority headquarters in Shaftesbury Avenue to receive the results of a medical review into his case.

Munro, who has suffered similar problems in the past, told the Racing Post: 'With this type of event it is normal to have an observation period ? back in 1990 I was given a three month observation period and in 1996 I was given a one-year observation period, and this is in line with that.

'They have given me a one-year observation period at the end of which I will be re-examined and re-tested, then, based on that, hopefully I will be re-licensed.

'I don't see this as the end of my career. I would like to enjoy another five years in the saddle. I am no good on the ground ? what I do best is ride. So I will be keen to get back, but you have got to follow protocol.

'The positive thing was that the test for epilepsy was clear. If I had had that, it would have been an automatic ban.'

Munro had been out of racing for four years before returning to the saddle with great success in 2005 riding 60 winners and earning over #1.3 million in prize-money.

He had already ridden 49 winners this term and his absence has cost him Group One victories on Dutch Art and Sergeant Cecil but Munro insisted he was not bitter.

'I know it sounds like a bit of a line, but I'm delighted really that all those horses have won and reached their potential.

'When you start off at the beginning of the year, that's what you hope they achieve, and it's good to see it happen. I haven't been involved, but that is almost irrelevant.'

Munro has yet to decide what he will do during his spell on the sidelines but it is thought likely that he will return to the Far East.

'I spent a lot of time out of racing, so I've got quite a good feeling that I will have an enjoyable year,' he said.

'I will probably go to China and get back into the karate. I enjoyed it a lot and it would be nice to take it a step further ? and it will keep me in good shape.

'I would like to thank everyone, as I've had a lot of support from a lot of people in racing, many of whom are good friends, which has helped me get through a very difficult time.'

(C) PA Sport