21 December 2023 , 10:36
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A former jump jockey, who was so severely injured in a racing fall that he was declared dead by paramedics, has trained his first winner - thanks to Harry Redknapp.
Brian Toomey scored with only his third runner when Wake Up Harry won a handicap at Kempton on Wednesday. In 2013 Toomey lost consciousness for six seconds after sustaining a brain injury in a horrific fall during a hurdle race at Perth.
He was given a three per cent chance of survival after surgeons had to remove part of his skull to reduce swelling on the brain. Against all odds he pulled through and even briefly resumed his riding career.
He joined the training ranks in October, operating from stables in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, with Redknapp and the powerful Amo Racing operation among his backers.
Redknapp was working for Sky, who were covering the EFL Cup match between Liverpool and West Ham, when Wake Up Harry ran,
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“He watched it without the sound and then rang me ten minutes later,” said Toomey, 34. “This result means the world to me. I had a runner beaten a neck last week but to have the support off people like Harry Redknapp and Amo Racing is mind-blowing. I never expected it.”
He went on: “I met Harry through a friend. I told him I don’t follow football and he said, ‘I don’t want to talk about football, I want to talk about racing’.
“We got on like a house on fire from thereon. Harry viewed my yard with me. I’ve been to his house, met his beautiful wife Sandra, and he’s accepted me.
“I was known for being the jockey that had a bad injury. I wasn’t going to get horses because of that. I guess what attracts them is my passion and determination. I’ve never given up.”