Joe Fanning is close to ending a lengthy injury absence and could be back on the racetrack at the end of January.
Fanning, 52, has been sidelined since June but is working hard regaining his fitness in the gym with an eye on a big race reunion with Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist.
“I am making good progress now,” said the jockey who with over 2,600 winners in Britain is second only to Frankie Dettori in the list of winning most active Flat riders.
“I am going to Jack Berry House three days a week. I was there again yesterday so I am hoping if everything goes well I could be back at the end of January.”
Fanning landed on his shoulder when he was unseated from a horse during a race at Musselburgh at the end of June.
“I suffered a spiral fracture of the humerus so I had it strapped up for 12 weeks and the muscle wasted a bit and I am trying to get that back now.," he said. "Everyone seemed happy with it when I went for a few tests yesterday.”
Fanning’s comeback could coincide with the return of the Mark and Charlie Johnston-trained stayer Subjectivist, who has not run since the pair won the 2021 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
The five-year-old, who also won the Dubai Turf under Fanning the same year, has potential targets in Saudi Arabia and Dubai in February and March.
“I’d want to have a bit of race riding under my belt before then,” he added. “All the fractures have healed well, it’s just about getting the muscle back now.”
