Miracle jockey celebrates ‘special’ win on same horse he almost lost his life on

There was a truly special moment at Down Royal Racecourse on Friday night when the Mick Mulvany-trained filly Red Heel captured the Pravha Handicap.

It was an ordinary race at an ordinary enough meeting but for her jockey Wesley Joyce it was a poignant reminder of a day that almost left him dead.

The seven-year-old was ridden to victory by the Limerick rider, his first time to ride her in a race since suffering life-threatening injuries in an horrific fall off the filly at Galway in 2022.

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Just under two years ago, Joyce and Red Heel competed in the valuable Corrib Stakes on the fourth day of the Festival.

But just two furlongs into that contest, Joyce suffered a horror fall that saw him suffer catastrophic injuries and spend weeks in intensive care for long periods, with seemingly little chance of surviving.

His injuries included a major trauma to his chest, a punctured lung, broken ribs, a broken shoulder and a fractured larynx that has left his speech reduced to just a whisper two years on.

But his remarkable recovery and miraculous return to race riding was a story that captured the hearts of the Irish racing public and last year he received the special achievement award at the Horse Racing Ireland awards.

Since returning last August, Joyce’s career has been steadily progressing but this was the first time he had ridden Red Heel in a race since the accident.

“That day, I can’t remember any of it, so to come back and ride a winner on this mare is very special,” said 21-year-old Joyce.

“It wasn’t her fault that day so I never hold any grudges against her. And she paid me back today and for sure I’ll get that photo and put it on my wall.”

Trainer Mulvany has been a huge part in helping Joyce rehabilitate and was emotional afterwards when interviewed.

He said: “That’s the horse that Wesley got hurt on, so it is great to see her back.

“It is all behind him now, but it is just nice to come back and win on her and prove that it is all over. Hopefully, it will be onwards and upwards for him.

“The filly was moved from our yard and came back this year and Wesley looks after her every day. It was just one of those things on the day. Now that she has got her head back in front, you never know.

“I’m delighted for Wesley. We have been hitting the goalpost a little bit lately and it is nice to see him get back in the winners enclosure.

“He is based with me full-time again, he came back about two months ago. He’s a good young fella and he does his best. He’s probably not just the finished article yet, but we will knock the corners off him! I think he has the makings of being a jockey.”

Red Heel’s victory was one of two on the night for Joyce, Blue Wood’s win in the closing contest completing a 57-1 double for the Moyross native. He has now ridden over 20 winners since returning to action last year.

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