Shadow Cast Photo:  Race Images

Jockey Jason Waddell is already eyeing a return to the saddle on August 1 after undergoing a successful surgery on his leg on Monday morning.

Waddell missed parts of the season through the impact of compartment syndrome, which limited the supply of blood to his right leg, causing increased pressure and severe pain. 

“If I do any impact, the calf muscle in my right leg swells. Whether it’s jumping on and off horses, any kind of running, skipping and going down flights of stairs,” he said.

“Unfortunately no blood goes down my leg and I get a build-up of lactic acid and I am unable to walk for a few hours and in quite a lot of pain.”

Despite the condition, Waddell still managed to ride home 53 winners including a Group One victory aboard Shadows Cast in the Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January.

“Through the leg I had to miss the first Group One at Hastings,” he said. “I missed a few big days during the season, just through when it flared up. 

“To be up over 50 winners and have another Group One, and I pretty much only rode until Derby Day, so I was very happy with the season.”

Waddell is happy to get the surgery completed and is aiming towards a return to race day riding at the start of next season.

“It’s hard for them to give me a timeframe, but it’s quite a common injury with football players. The timeframe they give them is pretty much eight weeks to be back on the pitch playing,” he said. 

“That’s been kicked and tackled around the leg, so I don’t think I will be that far. I have given myself six to eight weeks, so hopefully in the last week of July I’ll be back riding some around and then be rearing to go by August 1.”