Wesley Joyce 'continues to stabilise' in recovery from Galway festival fall

Up-and-coming apprentice Wesley Joyce's condition continues to stabilise in hospital as he recovers from serious injuries suffered in a fall at the Galway festival.

Joyce, 19, was unseated from Red Heel in the Listed race on the Flat on Thursday.

In an update on Sunday afternoon, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board senior medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh said: "Wesley has continued to stabilise since his fall at Galway on Thursday. He sustained major trauma to his chest and as such he remains ventilated in ICU in University Hospital Galway in order to help him breathe.

Wesley Joyce: Limerick jockey had ridden three winners in the 12 days prior to his Galway festival fallCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Wesley was taken off the ventilator for a brief period yesterday, when he was able to respond to family members, which was positive. Wesley's family and the IHRB wish to thank everyone for their support and well wishes over the last couple of days."

Joyce, from Moyross in County Limerick, kicked off his riding career when he attended a Racing Academy and Centre of Education outreach programme in conjunction with the Moyross Youth Academy.

Since being touched off in a photo-finish on his first ride at Dundalk in February 2021, the 7lb claimer has recorded 20 winners – eight of whom have come for Red Heel's trainer Mick Mulvany, Joyce's biggest backer.

Speaking on Sunday, Mulvany said: "I'm heading down to see him at the moment. He's a lovely young man and has done everything I've ever asked of him.

Mick Mulvany (left): 'Wesley is a great worker who you could set your clock by every day'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's a great worker who you could set your clock by every day. He's very reliable and deserved all the luck and rides he was getting because he grafts hard. Everyone in the yard likes him – he's got a good personality.

"He's a very good pilot. Any time he's been on a horse that should have a winning chance, he doesn't make many mistakes."

Mulvany added: "This is a little bit of a setback for him but hopefully it's onwards and upwards. You'd have to admire the wonderful job that all the medical teams at Galway racecourse and University Hospital Galway have done. Hopefully all that good work will pay off for Wesley."

Rachael Blackmore has been among the many riders to send good wishes to Joyce.

Speaking after partnering Gabbys Cross to victory on Friday, she said: "It's fantastic to ride winners here but I know everyone in the weighing room is just thinking of Wesley. We're hoping for more good news for him."

Thursday's mount was Joyce's first in Listed company, as he returned to the scene of his biggest success. At last year's festival he partnered the Emmet Mullins-trained Crowns Major to win the €100,000 Galway Shopping Centre Handicap.

He had recently been enjoying a fine run of form, with three of his six winners this season arriving in the 12 days before his unseat.