DAVY Condon hopes to continue working with horses after learning this week that his race-riding days are over.

The 30-year-old Corkman suffered a spinal injury in a fall during the Aintree Grand National two weeks ago. It was the second time in eight months that Condon was left ‘paralysed’ for 10 minutes and he has been advised that he is unlikely to walk away from another such fall.

Following Condon’s meeting with a consultant neurologist, the Turf Club’s medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick said: “Davy Condon suffered a spinal injury in the Grand National. This was on the background of a previous spinal concussion from which he had recovered fully and had been passed fit to ride by our consultant neurologist.

“Davy was reviewed by Dr Brian Murray, consultant neurologist, on behalf of the Turf Club. Dr Murray has recommended that Davy retire from horse riding, be it professional or recreational, due to the risk of further spinal injury. Davy has been referred by Dr Murray for a neurosurgical opinion as he has an ongoing disc lesion in his neck.

“Davy has fully accepted the medical advice and will be liaising with the Irish Jockeys’ Trust with a view to future career options.”

Speaking to The Irish Field yesterday, Condon said: “I’m still fairly sore and have to meet the neurosurgeon again to see if the operation is needed. The disc is in such a tricky place that they are not sure whether to leave it in or take it out.”

Asked about future plans he said: “I will probably do something with horses but I don’t know what.”

Condon’s last big winner came at Ascot in December when he won The Ladbroke on Bayan for trainer Gordon Elliott. “Davy has been an integral part of the team and has ridden some of the biggest winners I have had in my short career,” said Elliott. “Davy will not only be missed by myself, he is a very popular person in the industry and here at Cullentra. We all wish him the very best of luck with whatever he chooses to do next with his career and if we can help in any way, we will not hesitate to do so.”

Condon was also closely associated with the Willie Mullins yard. His first big winner was the Mullins-trained Ebaziyan in the 2007 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and he also won Grade 1 chases on Realt Mor and Morning Assembly.

ROBBIE McNAMARA

Jockey Robbie McNamara says he is feeling “optimistic” about his recovery after spinal surgery on serious injuries sustained in a fall. Aged 26, McNamara fell at Wexford two weeks ago and his prospects looked bleak when rushed to the Mater Hospital in Dublin that evening.

However, his surgery went well and he is thought to have a good chance of making a full recovery. “I’m feeling great and I’m still optimistic,” he told The Final Furlong podcast this week. “I’ve no feeling in my legs at the minute, but it’s early days. My back is badly battered and bruised and there’s a lot of swelling. I’d be hoping when all that swelling and bruising goes down, some of the nerve damage might repair and some feeling might come back.”