MARK DU PLESSIS IS BACK IN THE GAME

By Graham Potter | Monday, September 22, 2025

In the immediate aftermath of shocking four horse fall at Ipswich on July 3, it was clear that Mark Du Plessis had suffered an extensive list of serious physical injuries.

The good thing is that most physical injuries heal and Du Plessis was able to return to the saddle exactly eleven weeks after the fall and he came back a winner at Beaudesert last Thursday.

“It was very frustrating that’s why I am very happy to be back, even though I’m still only eighty-five to ninety-five percent fit,” said Du Plessis.

“I don’t normally go out to Beaudesert, but Will and Pete (Hulbert), who have been great supporters of mine. If it wasn’t for Will I probably wouldn’t have gone out there. He convinced me to ride.

"The stable had two horses. Will said they were both good chances, and he said, so let’s get you out there and get you going … and it was a really good result.” (Du Plessis won on Captain Eagle and finished second on Encrypted Feeling).

So, what pace does Du Plessis plan to set moving forward?

“Before last Thursday the doctor said to me, go and ride a couple at the races and see how you feel … and I went straight back to him and said I feel really good, but he has just kept me on light duties until the end of the weekend (September 29).

“He doesn’t want me taking any more than two or three rides. He told me, you’ve had a bad head-knock and your body has been pulled around a bit and has been in a bad way, so just take it easy and go slowly. There is no need to rush.

“I’ve had amazing help with my partner, Bec, and then again with Mick Coorey getting me back to race fitness. I can’t thank them enough. Those two people have been very important in my life.

“I’m a terrible patient, but I do enjoy going to the gym. That has helped.”

For the record, this is what Du Plessis has had to come back from … this time. (It is not his first major injury setback).

“I fractured my T6, T7 and T8 … and my eighth rib, which were pretty much in a line. I have broken a rib before, but this one was probably the worst,” offered du Plessis.
“It was pretty painful for the first two weeks … you wouldn’t want to sneeze or cough.

“The right index finger was badly messed up at the joint … and, on my left hand, I spilt two knuckles somehow. They weren’t broken on the X-ray, but, even now, when I wake up in the morning my finger takes a bit of warming up, but it is getting better as I go along.

“I was knocked out in the fall. There are only very small bits of it I remember at all really.

“Rehab-wise … it came down to something I hate doing … that is doing nothing. I was told you can’t think of getting on a bicycle … don’t do anything. If you go for a walk … go for a walk, but don’t take your dogs … just walk yourself quietly.”

Eleven weeks not being under starters orders can seem like an eternity for a rider itching to get back in the game, but Du Plessis has got through it all now.

He’s back, once again, in his own way, epitomising the general resilience of so many jockeys who get knocked down, but who just get up again!

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