Jack Hendrick sidelined following injury

Leading rider Jack Hendrick is having to watch on from the sidelines for the autumn term, after getting injured in a fall at Listowel just before the point-to-point season got underway.

The setback comes just months after the talented 25-year-old celebrated his 100th point-to-point winner in March at Borris House. 

 

A second cousin of former champion rider Jamie Codd, Hendrick has steadily built a strong reputation in recent years, riding regularly for Denis Murphy and Cormac Doyle, and establishing himself among the leading riders between the flags.

 

Last season, he partnered 27 winners, finishing third in the riders’ championship behind joint champions Rob James and Barry O’Neill, with Derek O’Connor in second. A former joint-winner of the Eastern Title alongside Rob James, Hendrick’s rise through the ranks has been consistent.

 

Hendrick’s injury occurred at Listowel on September 27th, when he was riding the Paul Nolan-trained Jasmin De Cotte in the John & Terry Moriarty Memorial (Q.R.) Handicap Chase, crashing out at the first fence.

 

“I broke my left humerus in three places and fractured my shoulder joint as well,” Hendrick explained.

 

“It’s a pain, and it happened at the worst possible time for me. It was unlucky more than anything, just one of those things. The horse fell and caught me on the way down.”

 

Following the fall, Hendrick underwent surgery at Blanchardstown Hospital on September 30th, and he is now on the road to recovery.

 

“I’m feeling okay. I’m back moving around and doing small bits. I’ve also started physio up at RACE, so I’m not feeling too bad,” he said.

 

Doctors have given him an estimated three-month recovery period, meaning Hendrick is aiming for a return to race-riding after Christmas.

 

“I’ve been given an estimated time of three months before I’ll be back in action, so I’m probably looking at a return after Christmas. I’m doing very little at the minute as I wasn’t able to drive. I’m mainly just sitting around drinking coffee!”

 

Despite being unable to ride, Hendrick remains deeply involved with racing, visiting Denis Murphy’s and Cormac Doyle’s yards and keeping a close eye on their young horses.

 

“I’ve been into Cormac’s and away to see horses galloping and stuff. I’ve a couple of my own horses too, so I’m trying to keep involved as much as I can.”

 

To date, Hendrick has ridden 109 point-to-point winners and 10 winners on the track, a record he’s proud of, particularly the landmark century reached earlier this year.

 

“I was delighted to reach my 100th winner.  It’s nice to have achieved that.

 

“When you start out, you never really expect too much. You take each win as it comes, so to get to 100 was amazing.”

 

For now, Hendrick’s main focus is on recovery and returning stronger than ever.

 

“I’m looking forward to the spring four-year-olds. I’ll keep an eye on them up in Cormac’s and Denis’ over the next couple of months. Fingers crossed I can get back on them after Christmas.”

 

He is extremely motivated to get back in the saddle and is working closely with the medical team and physios to aid his rehabilitation.

 

“Physical pain is something that you can get over in a couple of days, it’s the itching to get back on a horse that’s hard,” he admitted.

 

“I know it’s going to be a long road, but I’ll do everything I can to help my recovery. I’m working hard with Gavin, the physio in RACE, and taking direction from Dr Jennifer Pugh and the doctors in Blanchardstown. Hopefully, I can get back as quick as possible.”

For now, Hendrick remains positive and has to settle for watching from the sidelines, but he’s hopeful of picking up where he left off with a return to action early in the new year.