MICHAEL CAHILL IN FRIGHTENING SCARE. THANKFULLY HE IS NOW SAFELY BACK ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

By Graham Potter | Thursday, November 21, 2019

Leading jockey Michael Cahill, who was still recovering from a riding injury, suffered a further setback this week in frightening circumstances. Thankfully, no serious damage was done and Michael is once again back on the road to recovery. HRO’s Graham Potter spoke to Michael about exactly what happened. Here, Michael takes up the story.

“You wouldn’t believe it. I’ve got this moon-boot on and I fell on the stairs at home … the polished wooden stairs.

“I’d been taking the boot off because I slipped on it when I first got it. I thought then that I won’t wear it up the stairs and, you know what happens, you get a bit complacent and on Sunday night, after dinner, I kept it on and went up the stairs.

When I came back down, I fell.

My feet went straight out from under me and I landed right on the back of my head. It caused a deep, deep cut to the back of my head and it had this dark blood coming out. It knocked me clean out.

“It was pretty frightening for my wife and children. My wife called the ambulance and they were here in minutes. It was tough for the family. The kids had to go to the neighbours and my wife came with me in the ambulance.

“At the hospital they put me into ICU and just kept me there for a few hours. Then I was just released into the general ward. I spent three nights in hospital. I’m still not one hundred percent but I’ll just recover quietly now … and will hopefully get back riding within a couple of weeks.

“The brain-scans were all clear. There was no bleeding … which was good thank God.

“I mean you race racehorses for a living and then you injure yourself that way! Something so simple. It can happen … but I’ve passed all of the cognitive tests and the doctors were very pleased with those results so I think I’m going pretty good all things considered.

“I’m recovering at home now. I received very good care from the Gold Coast University Hospital and the doctors and nurses there.

As I say, I’ve been cleared of any cognitive issues and the brain-scans are all clear too … so it’s just a bit of rest for me now and I will be fine.

“I just want to say how much how grateful I am for the support of everyone. I’ve had quite a number of calls and texts and I really appreciate the support.”

More articles