Few jockeys past or present epitomize the saying “jockeys are made of stern stuff” more than Jamie Moore.
With a list of broken bones totaling 29, Moore’s time in the saddle was regularly interrupted by setbacks.
The final of those 29 serious injuries, a fractured T7 vertebra in a fall at Fontwell, would eventually lead to Moore’s retirement from riding earlier this year aged 39.
Although he did not sign “on his terms”, Moore can now look back with pride on a career that included 968 winners from more than 8,000 rides and featured some brilliant horses such as Sire De Grugy.
Joining Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan on episode 3 of Unbridled, in association with BoyleSports, Moore said: “I’m still very busy but I miss the fight a lot. It’s the boys in the weight room and I miss being competitive .
“I wanted to give it another year and get out on my own terms, but I’m one of the lucky ones because I’m still able to do what I need to do in my life.”
Moore receives his trophy after winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase
Reflecting on the heavy fall at Fontwell last November, Moore said: “I was lying on the floor and you immediately think you’re missing your ride on the next one that had a chance.
“There’s a bigger picture, but you don’t always know that until you’re done riding because you’re only thinking about the next thing.
“But when I got broken at Fontwell, it was later in my career and I had countless injuries before that, so you know how to deal with it a lot better.
“When I broke my leg later in my career I was in a cast riding a stationary bike after 10 days and when I broke my neck I was trying to do press-ups after two weeks in a neck brace.”
“Kennedy is like Messi and Elliott’s best player is out”
Champion Irish jumps jockey Jack Kennedy, who is just 25, is another who knows all too well the dangers of the sport, breaking his leg for the sixth time last Saturday.
Moore said: “He’s the most talented lad, or even the kid, and what he’s been through with his leg injuries – I feel really sorry for him.
“He’s an amazing jockey and he’s really unlucky.
“You can say, ‘Is there a reason it keeps happening?’ But when you’re hitting the ground at 30-35 mph, you’re going to break things if you land awkwardly.”
Jack Kennedy faces another spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg for the sixth time
Brennan, who was able to retire on his own terms at Cheltenham in April, also sent his best wishes to Kennedy and said it was a huge blow for trainer Gordon Elliott to lose his stable rider again.
“It’s unbelievable what Jack is going through, mentally that’s the worst of it all,” Brennan said.
“If you’re Gordon Elliott, you’ve got a Lionel Messi there. His team will continue, but his best player is out.
“Such lads are not irreplaceable but close to it.”
