Jockeys break a combined 25 ribs and suffer three punctured lungs in horrific ‘T-bone’ falls

TWO jockeys have broken a combined 25 ribs and suffered three punctured lungs in two devastating falls just 24 hours apart. Sun Racing told you how Irish rider Gary Noonan was airlifted to hospital after his horse appeared to roll over the top of him in a horrific Killarney fall last Saturday. Tom Bellamy, in the red and yellow silks, suffered 11 broken ribs and two deflated lungs as a result of this ‘T-bone’ collision at Worcester on Sunday Brave jockey Gary Noonan manages a thumbs up from his hospital bed after he broke 14 ribs in a fall 24 hours before Bellamy A similar fate befell Tom Bellamy at Worcester on Sunday when he was ‘T-boned’ by Harry Skelton on a horse behind. Noonan has since been pictured covered in wires while recovering in his hospital bed. Bellamy said on the Nick Luck Daily podcast that he remained in hospital as a result of his spill too. Fortunately both appear to be recovering well – although their list of injuries is hard to comprehend. Racecourse photographer Pat Healy, a friend of Noonan, documented his ailments on X. He wrote: “Spare a thought for our great pal Gary Noonan lads. “Last year’s @ListowelRaces Harvest Festival leading rider is recovering form a fall which resulted in 14 broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken shoulder blade. “On being lifted into the air ambulance he whispered to trainer Eoin McCarthy, ‘I hope they find something wrong with me or they will all call me soft’. Most read in Horse Racing “Wishing you a speedy recovery, Gary.” While Bellamy, who became a hit with punters when his mum pleaded with him to get a girlfriend after a Cheltenham Festival winner, suffered similar pain. He had been riding the Kim Bailey & Matt Nicholls-trained Court In A Storm when coming down at the last in a 2m4f handicap chase. Skelton, who also hit the deck, was close behind and his horse smashed into the side of Bellamy as a result of being brought down. Recalling the incident, Bellamy said: “We landed – the horse actually jumped it fine, but then as I was beginning to get in the motion of riding a finish he went down. “Harry Skelton came from behind me and crashed straight into me. “I have broken 11 ribs, eight of which are on one side. “Both my lungs deflated and one had to be drained – that was the worst bit of it. “I have broken my sternum, and scapula – my shoulder blade – it was basically all on one side. “I landed with no helmet on so it was a fair old blow and I’m surprised I didn’t lose consciousness. “In a funny way I wish I was knocked out because it was fairly sore, but every day I’m getting better… although I’m still in Worcester Royal Hospital.” It’s been a tough few days for jockeys, who continue to risk life and limb every single time they step foot on the racecourse. Joseph O’Brien’s No1 rider Dylan Browne McMonagle is progressing well in hospital but will be out ‘for weeks’ after he suffered a terrible fall at Irish track Bellewstown, where racing was abandoned two nights in a row. Yet another Irish fixture was cancelled earlier today on account of unsafe ground conditions. FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Comment now