A SHADOW was cast over the conclusion to the point-to-point season as up-and-coming young rider Shane Prendergast received serious injuries at Ballingarry

The 19-year-old was aboard Jack The Snake in the concluding maiden on Sunday at the Tipperary venue when his mount slipped-up on the bend exiting the home straight.

After being attended to by the medical team, Prendergast was airlifted to the Midlands Regional Hospital where he was placed in an induced coma as a result of serious head and back injuries.

Prendergast has been diagnosed with bruising on his brain and fractures to his T6 and T7 vertebrae, but the Turf Club’s chief medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick is “cautiously optimistic” he will make a full recovery. There was better news later in the week when he was taken out of the coma and is to be moved to the spinal unit in the Mater Hospital.

A native of Graiguenamanagh in Co. Carlow, Prendergast worked with Willie Mullins for a year before also spending time with Tony Mullins ahead of his decision to join Willie Murphy’s Ballycurragh Stables.

Murphy, for whom Prendergast had twice partnered his horses to finish second this season, added his best wishes to those echoed across the industry. “He has been with us since last September and is a very good chap to ride and work.

“His father, Luke, had a trainer’s licence and had winners on the track. He is a lovely fella and a true gentleman - as nice a fella as you could hope to meet.”

Shane is the second rider to receive serious injuries while competing between the flags this season, following the fall of Stella McGrath at Glenbane in the autumn. Thankfully Stella has been back in the pointing fields to watch her mother Jackie’s horse run.

The rider’s friends of have set up a Gofundme page. https:/www.gofundme.com/zkfwh-support-to-shane