Few riders, past or present, embody the phrase “jockeys are made of tough stuff” quite like Jamie Moore. His career, marked by an astonishing 29 serious bone fractures, is a testament to his resilience and unwavering dedication to the sport. These injuries, interrupting his time in the saddle repeatedly, ultimately led to his retirement from race riding earlier this year at the age of 39. While he didn’t quite get the fairytale ending of retiring on his own terms, Moore can look back with immense pride on a career encompassing 968 winners from over 8,000 rides, featuring partnerships with exceptional horses such as Sire De Grugy.
Speaking on episode 3 of the podcast ‘Unbridled,’ sponsored by BoyleSports, alongside Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan, Moore shared his reflections. “I’m still very busy,” he admitted, “but I do miss the racing a heck of a lot. I miss the camaraderie in the weighing room and, most of all, the thrill of competition.” He expressed a desire to have ridden for another year, aiming for a more controlled exit, but acknowledged his fortunate position: “I’m one of the lucky ones; I’m still able to do what I need to do in life.”
Moore’s final injury, a fracture of his T7 vertebra in a fall at Fontwell last November, served as the culmination of years of physical trauma. He described the immediate aftermath: “Lying on the floor, your first thought is missing your next ride, particularly if that horse has a good chance.” He continued, reflecting on the broader perspective gained after retirement: “There’s a bigger picture, but you don’t always see it until you’re finished racing. You’re so focused on the next challenge.” However, years of experience had prepared him for this moment. “When I broke my leg later in my career, I was cycling on a static bike ten days later. When I broke my neck, I was attempting press-ups two weeks after being in a neck brace.” The sheer extent of Moore’s injuries is staggering: heel, both ankles, tibia, fibula, hip, both collarbones, both arms, his back (twice), his neck, and his nose (twice).
The inherent dangers of horse racing are tragically highlighted by the situation of Ireland’s champion jumps jockey, 25-year-old Jack Kennedy, who suffered his sixth leg break last Saturday. Moore expressed his empathy: “He’s the most talented young jockey I’ve seen, and what he’s endured with his leg injuries is heartbreaking. He’s phenomenal, and just unbelievably unlucky.” He added a realistic perspective to the frequency of such accidents: “You can ask, ‘Is there a reason this keeps happening?’ But when you’re hitting the ground at 30-35 mph, you’re bound to break something if you land awkwardly.”
Paddy Brennan, who retired on his own terms at Cheltenham in April, echoed these sentiments, expressing his concern for Kennedy. He also highlighted the significant impact on Kennedy’s trainer, Gordon Elliott: “It’s unbelievable what Jack’s going through, especially the mental toll. For Gordon Elliott, it’s like losing Lionel Messi. His team will carry on, but his best player is out of action. Jockeys like Jack are not irreplaceable, but they’re incredibly close to it.” The stories of Jamie Moore and Jack Kennedy underscore the exceptional physical and mental fortitude required in horse racing, a sport where the line between triumph and devastating injury is often perilously thin.
