15 February 2023 , 17:33
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A jockey who suffered a mini-stroke during a race completed a remarkable return to the saddle when she rode in her first race for four months on Tuesday.
Page Fuller, 27, was taken ill moments after the off when riding in a handicap chase at Fontwell in September she went temporarily blind in her right eye on the approach to the first fence.
The pair cleared the obstacle before the rider managed to pull the horse up – despite also losing the use of her right arm.
Scans confirmed that a torn artery had clotted in her neck and caused the mini-stroke, leaving Fuller wondering if she would ever ride again.
Yet four months after the scare, Fuller rode over hurdles at Hereford, finishing fourth on Lady Pacifico holding every chance until having to give best after the second last flight.
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"It is definitely really nice to be back," said Fuller afterwards. "I think it all sounds very serious, but in the grand scheme of things it wasn't like a lot of people, who have really bad leg breaks or back breaks. I think that is more familiar territory.
"It was a very rare occurrence. We don't know if the stroke was caused by an earlier fall or a culmination of whiplash injuries, but I was lucky that, to be honest, as soon as I got out of hospital, I was feeling pretty normal.
Page Fuller is back racing after the scare (Getty Images)“So, it felt more like I was getting over a concussion than anything else. It was familiar territory from that respect."
Fuller, who has been riding out since the first week in January, has 109 British winners under her belt. She was quick to praise friends and family for helping temper her impatience as she continued her rehabilitation.
"Everyone around me has been good at making me take my time," she added. "To be honest, my body has been in control, I haven't really just been able to crack on with it.
"Since I could drive, Oaksey House has been brilliant. They know me well enough so they had something to compare it to.
"It was really nice to be back and really good to get the first one out of the way."