Irish jockey Peter Toole sails over the water jump on Fine Parchment at Aintree in April 2011. His racing career would end the next day after he suffered bleeding on the brain when falling at the first fence in a race preceding the Grand National.
Flying High —
Irish jockey Peter Toole sails over the water jump on Fine Parchment at Aintree in April 2011. His racing career would end the next day after he suffered bleeding on the brain when falling at the first fence in a race preceding the Grand National.
Andrew Yates/Getty Images
The 25-year-old Irishman may be despondent about the sudden end to his career but he is hugely grateful to have recovered so well from his fall. Two years on, he is not only able to walk and talk but he is also riding out horses for one of his old trainers at home in Ireland. Meanwhile, his family are planning a fundraising event in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Muddy Waters —
The 25-year-old Irishman may be despondent about the sudden end to his career but he is hugely grateful to have recovered so well from his fall. Two years on, he is not only able to walk and talk but he is also riding out horses for one of his old trainers at home in Ireland. Meanwhile, his family are planning a fundraising event in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Phil Cole/Getty Images
A statue of IJF founder Lord Oaksey surveys the state-of-the-art rehabilitation center that bears his name in Lambourn, England. Opened by Princess Anne in 2009, Oaksey House caters for anyone who has suffered a severe horse-related injury and has five permanent residents.
Oaksey House —
A statue of IJF founder Lord Oaksey surveys the state-of-the-art rehabilitation center that bears his name in Lambourn, England. Opened by Princess Anne in 2009, Oaksey House caters for anyone who has suffered a severe horse-related injury and has five permanent residents.
The 'Equichute Simulator' is a machine designed to enable jockeys to practice rolling out of a fall - a technique cited as the best way to escape serious injury. Oaksey House also boasts a treadmill designed for astronauts by NASA, one which allows its user to exercise under reduced gravity.
Serious Horse Play —
The 'Equichute Simulator' is a machine designed to enable jockeys to practice rolling out of a fall - a technique cited as the best way to escape serious injury. Oaksey House also boasts a treadmill designed for astronauts by NASA, one which allows its user to exercise under reduced gravity.
Along with providing employment training schemes for those who need a new vocation following the end of their racing career, the IJF takes its beneficiaries on a yearly holiday to Tenerife, Spain, thanks to the generosity of a wealthy donor.
Morale Boost —
Along with providing employment training schemes for those who need a new vocation following the end of their racing career, the IJF takes its beneficiaries on a yearly holiday to Tenerife, Spain, thanks to the generosity of a wealthy donor.
The IJF was founded in 1964 after jockey Paddy Farrell, lying prostrate in this picture, was paralyzed for life after falling at that year's Grand National. With insufficient assistance then available to jockeys in such plight, and with Tim Brookshaw having also suffered paralysis not long before, the Farrell-Brookshaw fund was created - ultimately turning into today's IJF.
Bleak Beginnings —
The IJF was founded in 1964 after jockey Paddy Farrell, lying prostrate in this picture, was paralyzed for life after falling at that year's Grand National. With insufficient assistance then available to jockeys in such plight, and with Tim Brookshaw having also suffered paralysis not long before, the Farrell-Brookshaw fund was created - ultimately turning into today's IJF.
Central Press/Getty Images
At a concert in Ireland in July, American rocker Bruce Springsteen devoted one of his songs to local jockey JT McNamara. The Irishman has been paralyzed from the neck down after a fall in March this year.
The Backing of the Boss —
At a concert in Ireland in July, American rocker Bruce Springsteen devoted one of his songs to local jockey JT McNamara. The Irishman has been paralyzed from the neck down after a fall in March this year.
Matt Kent/Getty Images
McNamara, 37, was reportedly one month away from retiring at the time of his fall at the Cheltenham Festival. Pictured here as a winner at the same track a year earlier, the Irishman is credited as being one of the finest amateur jockeys in British racing history.
Brighter Times —
McNamara, 37, was reportedly one month away from retiring at the time of his fall at the Cheltenham Festival. Pictured here as a winner at the same track a year earlier, the Irishman is credited as being one of the finest amateur jockeys in British racing history.
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Seen here on a sponsored walk to help the IJF, Chris 'Red' Kinane is a former assistant trainer who was kicked in the head by a horse in 2005. Unable to walk or talk for months after the incident, Kinane has titanium plates where much of his skull had once been. He is constantly looked after by the IJF.
Simply Red —
Seen here on a sponsored walk to help the IJF, Chris 'Red' Kinane is a former assistant trainer who was kicked in the head by a horse in 2005. Unable to walk or talk for months after the incident, Kinane has titanium plates where much of his skull had once been. He is constantly looked after by the IJF.