31 July 2023 , 10:28
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Top jockey Vincent Ho says he is “lucky to be alive” after a race fall robbed him of the chance to make his Glorious Goodwood debut this week. Ho, one of the leading riders in Hong Kong, was due to fly to Britain on Sunday to make his Goodwood debut on Tuesday.
His trip to the UK was sponsored by trainer Charlie Johnston for the period of his two-week stay which would climax with him taking part in the Shergar Cup at Ascot.
Ho, 33, was riding in Japan when he came down and took a heavy fall in which he was concussed and fractured the T5 vertebrae which is likely to keep him sidelined for two to three months.
He has been released from hospital and will return home to Hong Kong to recover. Posting an update on Twitter, Ho said: “Mixed emotions for these couple of days. Unlucky with the terrible fall in Niigata on Saturday, cost a couple of winners on Sunday and most importantly the UK trip I’ve been looking forward to since last year.
“But I’m very grateful and lucky to be alive and only sustained a fractured T5 and concussion, as everyone said “it could’ve been worse”. He added: “I wish to come back and do it next year.”
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Ho is best known for his association with Hong Kong superstar racehorse Golden Sixty, winner of 25 out of 29 starts including nine Group 1 races.
He has ridden six winners in Britain and had rides booked at the five-day Goodwood meeting, which was to be his first visit to Britain since 2019.