Sanders on road to recovery
The 36-year-old had been hoping for a move to a unit nearer home in Suffolk and was delayed in having the operation on his femur after being taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital.
The accident occurred in the Listed corbettsports.com Chester Handicap on Saturday when Sanders’ mount Speed Gifted was brought down in a three-horse pile-up.
Sanders’ former weighing-room colleague Kevin Darley, now the Professional Jockeys Association industry liaison director, provided an update.
“Seb had an operation on his leg this morning. He couldn’t wait to get it done and it will be down to consultation in next couple of days to let him know when he can go a bit nearer home,” said Darley.
“Seb is a tough and resilient character but it was a horrendous fall.
“Thankfully, he got shipped away to hospital and is getting it sorted out at the moment.”
While ending Sanders’ season, the event left a big mark on the stable of Paul D’Arcy.
D’Arcy is now without his season’s most prolific horse, Sir Duke, who clipped heels in the race – bringing down both Cheshire Prince and Speed Gifted.
He badly damaged a shoulder before having to be put down.
“The loss felt by owners Jan and Colin Harris and ourselves and staff is very great,” the trainer’s wife Sue wrote on the stable’s website.
“Not only are we mourning a fine young horse, who won five races this year, but also a great character in the yard.
“He has been a real flag-bearer for us and a little yard like ours cannot stand such a loss easily.”
