Donavan Mansour: Photo supplied

Eilish Bragg
In December of last year, Matamata apprentice Eilish Bragg (nee McCall) was holding a horse when it reared up and knocked her to the ground, landing on her foot. What was initially thought to be ligament damage, she continued to ride trackwork and raceday. It wasn't until four weeks later, x-rays showed it was a rare injury known as a lisfranc fracture, which required screws, physio and a moon boot until April.

“All going well the screws will come out in June and will be out riding in July.”

Donavan Mansour
Cambridge jockey Donavan Mansour suffered a nasty pelvis break when his horse reared up over backwards in the starting gates at Te Aroha in October last year. A serious injury which resulted in immediate surgery, Mansour explained he had essentially snapped the pelvis off the coxic. Doctors initially gave Mansour an estimated recovery time of a year to 18 months, however he is improving significantly quicker. With positive spirits, it’s estimated recovery could now take no longer than a year.

“I’ve had very good support from a lot of people.”

Stephen Karnicik
Jumps jockey Stephen Karnicik was involved in a serious head on car crash in June of last year on his way to Te Aroha races. Airlifted to Waikato hospital, he was very lucky to survive as he suffered a number of internal injuries. A surgery which resulted in the loss of half his intestines and stomach, he explains everything has been going in the right direction. Doing physio and working with a dietician, his lifestyle has changed significantly but he is ahead of the initial estimated recovery time. Now back at work in the John Wheeler stables for the past two weeks riding trackwork, he is hopeful to return to race day riding in the near future. 

‘I’ll be back soon enough.”