Ryan Mania: Winning Grand National jockey hoping to leave hospital today after terrifying fall
He was airlifted to hospital when his neck and back were injured during a low-key race
Thrown: Ryan hits the turf
Grand National-winning rider Ryan Mania is still hoping to leave hospital today after being injured in a fall at Hexham on Sunday.
Thrilled Ryan experienced the ecstasy of roaring to a shock victory in the Grand National – but yesterday was in agony after a terrifying fall.
Less than 24 hours after Ryan, 23, stormed home in the world’s most famous steeplechase, he was airlifted to hospital when his neck and back were injured during a low-key race.
The jockey, racing for a £3,000 prize in the 3.10pm race at Hexham in Northumberland, was unseated then seemingly trampled on by a galloping horse.
At 4.30pm on Saturday, Ryan was catapulted from total unknown to household name as he pulled off one of the National’s biggest ever shocks – triumphing on 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore in the race at Aintree which attracted £150million in bets.
Ryan was on the final circuit yesterday when he fell at high speed. He was given emergency aid behind screens for 25 minutes on the track before being loaded into a helicopter on a spinal board for further treatment at hospital.
Jim Beaumont, co-owner of Auroras Encore, said last night: “We got a phone call to say he’d been hurt. I was shocked. I was sat in a car and my pal said, ‘Jim, bad news, Ryan’s been taken to hospital’.
“This shows the ups and downs of being a jump jockey. One day you’re up, the next day you’re down.
“He’s conscious but we’ll know more later. Fingers crossed.
“We were with him in the morning. He was posing for photographs at the stables in Yorkshire after winning the National. He was riding on an iron stag and having fun as the Press took pictures.
“Now we are thinking about him and hoping he has a fast and full recovery.”
Star rider: Ryan before race
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Ryan was last night being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance said: “He suffered neck and back injuries. He came off the horse at high speed and may have been hit by another horse while he was on the ground. He has been given painkillers and is currently in a stable condition.”
Ryan defied the odds on Saturday as he won the world’s toughest horse race at the first attempt. The joy was shared by trainer Sue Smith and her legendary show jumper husband Harvey.
But composed Ryan – who temporarily gave up riding when his career hit rock bottom in 2011 – said he would not celebrate too wildly because he had the Hexham meeting to think about.
Yesterday morning the Scotsman, who is soon to become a dad, visited the Smiths’ stables near Bingley, West Yorks, to be reunited with 11-year-old Auroras Encore and pose for photos. Speaking at the stables, Ryan said: “My phone hasn’t stopped. Text messages from friends I can reply to, but I’ve had thousands on Facebook and Twitter from people I don’t know.
“Last night my local rugby team in Galashiels had their rugby sevens tournament and they phoned up and wanted me to pop in.
“I was on the pitch with the team under the floodlights and the atmosphere was incredible. It meant so much to everyone.
“I got there at 10.20pm. When I tried to go to bed I couldn’t sleep. I was replaying the race in my head. Then I set off at 5.30am to get back down here. I slept for an hour.”
Fears: He is airlifted away
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His girlfriend, Edwina Stacy-Marks, who is five months pregnant, said pals had suggested the couple, who live at a remote farmhouse near Lindean in the Scottish Borders, call the baby Aurora after the Aintree winner.
Polo expert Edwina, 30, joked she was so excited watching Ryan’s victory that the baby almost came early. She told friends on Facebook: “Don’t worry mini-Mania hasn’t appeared into the world yet but I’m sure it was nearly going to at one point.”
Ryan was in high spirits when he arrived at Hexham yesterday. He acknowledged well-wishers and hugged his delighted cousin Yvonne Appleby.
But the cheers and laughter turned to concern when Ryan fell from Stagecoach Jasper in the St John Lee Handicap Hurdle.
Worried TV racing host Clare Balding tweeted last night: “Hope Ryan Mania is ok. Jump jockeys are the toughest of the tough.”