After enduring a rough past few months, Michael Walker is firmly focussed on a return to the saddle as he gears up for Friday morning’s jumpouts at Flemington.
Following a lengthy recovery from hip surgery he underwent last spring, Walker made his comeback in late February but it was cut short in early April when he collapsed at home due to an unexplained head condition.
The Group 1-winning jockey discussed his most recent setback, which resulted in bleeding on the brain, on Racing.com’s Racing Ahead on RSN 927 on Wednesday.
“I don’t remember much about it,” Walker said.
“It was a freak accident, and I’m lucky that I’ve healed so quick.
“[The doctors] can’t find anything, I’m fit, I’m healthy, [there is] no reason at all why it happened.”
Cleared and sent home after the initial collapse, Walker was rushed back to hospital a day later.
“I rang [my doctor] and said ‘something’s wrong, my face is shut down, I can’t hear and I can’t see’,” he said.
“[My doctor] requested scans of my brain … and my skull, and said get to the Epworth now. I was in there for 10 days.”
Speaking on his 32nd birthday, Walker said he is determined to move forward on his path back to doing what he loves.
“I’ve been cleared to ride jump-outs on Friday morning,” Walker said.
“Since November last year, I’ve ridden [only] for a month, I had the operation of my hip, came back, and then this happened.
“I just want to get out there and do what I love doing which is riding thoroughbreds.
“This is a stepping stone to hopefully get back [to race riding] first week of May.
“I’m off all [painkillers and steroids] now, and I’m looking forward to Friday morning.”
– racing.com
