Jockey Jack Gilligan out of action with shoulder injury

Flat jockey Jack Gilligan has been forced to pause his best season yet as he requires treatment for a nerve injury in his right shoulder.

Gilligan has ridden 27 winners in Britain, with the latest achieved at Salisbury last Friday, having returned from an eight-year spell in the US in December, during which time he rode over 400 winners.

Yet racecourse doctors at Salisbury advised him to stop race-riding and seek medical attention for a worsening injury and he has not ridden on the track since. He will have an MRI scan in the coming days which will allow him to plan when he can return.

Gilligan said: "Unfortunately last Friday at Salisbury, I had to be stood down on medical grounds by the racecourse doctors because of an ongoing nerve injury in my right shoulder. The injury has not hindered me riding winners, but has progressively worsened over the last month. 

"The racecourse doctors strongly advised that I stop riding immediately to allow for further diagnostic testing and the opportunity to start healing. I will be getting an MRI soon to help determine the severity and nature of the injury, as well as the expected time I will have to be away from the saddle."

Eight of Gilligan's winners this season have come for Ben Brookhouse while he has also won for Marco Botti, Sir Mark Prescott and Conrad Allen. He also enjoyed a 40-1 shock win aboard Prague in Sandown's £40,000 1m2f maiden for Dylan Cunha.

Gilligan added: "It's frustrating to have to stop riding now whilst having a great season, but I'm very thankful for all of the support I have received from the owners and trainers I have been riding for. I want to make sure I'm competing at my best for them; therefore, I need to give myself time to heal correctly. I hope to be back in action as soon as possible."

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