SEAN McDermott, the most successful jump jockey in America last season in terms of prize money won, $649,000, with 12 winners and 23 seconds, continues to divide his time between his adopted country and his native land.

Returning to Ireland later than usual in mid-December, he had been keeping himself busy by riding out for a host of trainers, including Willie Mullins, his former mentor Pat Fahy, Mag Mullins, Eoin Doyle and Gordon Elliott and was easing himself back in when disaster struck on the second day of Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, 24 hours after he had ridden a double at Limerick.