The horse racing world has been shaken by devastating news surrounding champion jockey Graham Lee, who sustained life-changing injuries in a horrific fall at Newcastle Racecourse earlier this month.
Tragic Turn at Newcastle
The incident occurred on November 10th during the BetVictor Handicap race, when Lee's mount, Ben Macdui, stumbled violently just after leaving the starting gates. The experienced jockey was thrown from the horse, suffering catastrophic damage to his spinal cord.
Medical specialists have delivered the heartbreaking prognosis that the 47-year-old is now permanently paralysed from the shoulders down, confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life.
A Stellar Career Cut Short
Lee enjoyed an extraordinary racing career spanning both codes of the sport. He famously guided Amberleigh House to victory in the 2004 Grand National at Aintree, one of racing's most prestigious events.
After transitioning to flat racing, he continued to achieve remarkable success, securing a memorable Group 1 triumph aboard Alpha Delphini in the 2018 Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
Racing Community Rallies
The British Horseracing Authority has expressed profound sadness at Lee's situation, describing the news as "devastating" and highlighting the inherent risks jockeys face every time they mount a horse.
A JustGiving campaign established to support Lee and his family has demonstrated the depth of feeling within the racing world, raising over £160,000 from more than 3,500 donors in a remarkable show of solidarity.
Long Road to Recovery
Lee currently remains at James Cook University Hospital's spinal unit in Middlesbrough, where he faces extensive rehabilitation and adaptation to his new circumstances.
The racing fraternity continues to send messages of support to the popular jockey, his wife Becky, and their children, as they navigate this challenging new chapter in their lives.
