Callum Shepherd set for six to eight weeks on sidelines after fracturing vertebrae in his back in Kempton fall

Callum Shepherd's 'outstanding year' has come to a halt as he expects to be sidelined for up to eight weeks after fracturing two vertebrae and a collarbone in a fall at Kempton on Wednesday evening.

Shepherd was injured after the Camilla Poulton-trained Militry Decoration suffered a fatal heart attack and collapsed during the closing stages of the 1m4f handicap.

Shepherd said: “I’ve broken my collarbone and fractured my T3 and T6 vertebrae. They are stable and I’m quite sore, obviously, but it could have been a lot worse. 

“I’m seeing a specialist tomorrow in London, but I’d be hopeful of a timescale of six to eight weeks, being realistic. 

“My target now would be to ride in the international races in Bahrain and Dubai. That’s probably me done chasing a hundred winners, but I have a lot to be grateful for this year.”

Isle Of Jura: among high-profile winners for Callum Shepherd this yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Shepherd has experienced a season of ups and downs which began by partnering Isle Of Jura to win the Triple Crown in Bahrain for Sheikh Nasser Al Khalifa and George Scott.

The rider returned to partner Ambiente Friendly to victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial but was replaced for the Derby, in which Ambiente Friendly finished second under Robert Havlin.

Shepherd rebounded from the setback to record his first Royal Ascot success on Isle Of Jura in the Hardwicke Stakes, and claimed further Group 2 victories on Bay City Roller and Quddwah, who he rode to win the Summer Mile at Ascot a day after sustaining a head injury in a fall at the same course.

The jockey also succeeded in overturning an 18-day ban imposed on him by Kempton stewards, who had deemed him not to have ridden out to the finish when dead-heating in a 7f handicap. Shepherd was able to successfully argue he had become unbalanced in the final stages of the race.

Scott said Shepherd was right to target his return to riding in the Middle East, and added: “Callum is our stable jockey and we’re concentrating on Bahrain and Dubai, and he should be back for that. We’ve spoken and I’ve told him to take his time, get through his rehab and that we’ll be here for him when he’s back.

“Callum’s had an unbelievable year, an outstanding year, and it’s a real shame and frustrating for him that this has happened. He’s grateful to have walked away from it though.”

Read more . . .

'I don't see the point in taking on him again' - Champions Day off the radar for Trueshan as Alan King plans to avoid Kyprios 

'He's right where we want him' - Economics delights William Haggas in key piece of work before Champion Stakes 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.