Jockey Josh Moore has amazed doctors with his recovery from a life-threatening infection.
The 30-year-old was seriously injured at Haydock in April, when Gleno came down in a veterans' chase and fell on top of him. Moore was rushed to hospital where scans revealed he had broken his leg, several ribs, punctured a lung and damaged his lower back.
There was heightened concern for the rider as he previously underwent spinal surgery after another racecourse fall in October 2021.
Nearer the start of his current hospital stay, Moore spent several weeks in critical care battling an infection. He was sedated and required a ventilator to breathe, but gradually made progress and the medical team are optimistic he will soon be able to come home.
"He's not a normal person, is he?" said his father and racing trainer Gary Moore. "He wanted to get better as quickly as he could and get out (of hospital). As well as he's being looked after, he's been in there 12 weeks now, which is a long time for anyone.
"He's improved a lot. He's walking and talking and he even did my declarations for me on Sunday morning, which just amazed me and proves he has no brain damage - he's back to normal.
"It has been slow progress and it will be slow progress, but it's progress, which is the main thing."
Grade 1-winning rider Moore, who also took the 2015 Betfair Hurdle on Violet Dancer, is being treated at a London hospital. He has been there since late May and is having intensive rehab.
Moore senior enjoyed a winner at Brighton on Tuesday when On The Nose scored narrowly for Rhys Clutterbuck. The sportsman, who recorded the success at the outcome of a photo finish, gave a positive update on his friend's condition.
"Thankfully, it is a miracle that he's fine and should be out of hospital soon," he said. "All the lads are chatting away to him and he's coming out of his shell a bit more."
And Moore's mother Jayne, whose sons Ryan and Jamie are also professional riders, says the whole family are relieved that after such a long stay, Josh will become a day patient.
"I think he's baffled the doctors with his progress," she added.
