Talking Horses: BHA stands by injury return protocols after Cook admission

Danny Cook fell three times in 16 rides and then admitted his vision has not recovered from an injury sustained last month Racing’s rulers have stood by the existing system for examining a jockey’s fitness to ride, following the revelation that Danny Cook has been riding with impaired vision for the past week. Cook stood himself down after a fall on Definitly Red at Newcastle on Saturday, saying his sight had not recovered from severe facial injuries including a fractured eye-socket and broken nose he suffered in a mid-October fall when a horse appeared to kick him. He also had 50 stitches in his facial wounds. “I’ve not been riding to my full capability, so I need to get it sorted,” he said. He said his ability to judge distance was affected and that may have been a factor in the three falls he and his mounts have suffered in 16 rides since his comeback. Continue reading... ▶ Full story on theguardian.com