Jockey Wesley Joyce made his comeback to the saddle at Naas on Monday. The Limerick native suffered serious injuries a year ago during a fall at the Galway festival which had kept him out of action.
Joyce sustained injuries to his chest, lungs, ribs and collarbone along with fracturing his larynx, which means he currently speaks with a whisper.
The 20-year-old had two rides on Monday, the latter of which saw him finish second on Wave Machine in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.
"I'll settle for second. First day back, I'll settle for that," Joyce told RTÉ's Morning Ireland show.
It was a real honour to talk to Wesley Joyce on his comeback to racing yesterday. There is a lesson for us all here. Thanks for sharing your story young man. More shortly on @morningireland sport pic.twitter.com/f5cq6scFHn
— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) August 8, 2023
Asked what got him through the rehabilitation, Joyce replied: "I think it was the mindset of remembering what I wanted to be was a jockey. I'm not going to give up until I chase my dreams and get that done.
"There's not really words to describe it. It's been very hard, tough. In the gym, out for runs. The breathing was a bit bad at one stage. My windpipe was closing. I had to get that widened. It's been hard but it's worth it.
"I broke my ribs, punctured my lungs, broke my shoulder, fractured my larynx. I have surgery in November, which will bring the voice back - I'll be 100 per cent then.
"I missed the winners. Coming back into he parade ring and seeing the smile on the owner's face is what it's all about."
🗣️ "It's a great buzz to be back."
An interview to thaw the stoniest of hearts ❤️
Jockey Wesley Joyce describes the joy of his return to the saddle @NaasRacecourse after suffering serious injuries in a fall at Galway last year.@JohnnyMurtagh pic.twitter.com/AfcvAAayEW— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 7, 2023
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