Jockey Jim Cassidy will have operations on both knees and his right ankle later this month as the grand slam-winning rider steels himself for the final chapter of his long and colourful riding career, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.It says: ''I am riding in a little bit of pain at the moment, but there would be few jockeys of my age that wouldn't be,'' Cassidy, 47, told an audience at the MCG on Tuesday night. ''I'm looking at getting both my knees done as well as a pin taken from my ankle an
Jockey Jim Cassidy will have operations on both knees and his right ankle later this month as the grand slam-winning rider steels himself for the final chapter of his long and colourful riding career, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
It says: ''I am riding in a little bit of pain at the moment, but there would be few jockeys of my age that wouldn't be,'' Cassidy, 47, told an audience at the MCG on Tuesday night. ''I'm looking at getting both my knees done as well as a pin taken from my ankle and hopefully that will give me another 12 months.''
Cassidy was speaking as a special guest at the popular talk series ''Tuesdays at the 'G''' hosted by Bryan Martin, and he revealed the inspiration for the operations.
''I want to get it done for two reasons,'' Cassidy said. ''I found my next nice horse in a Redoute's [Choice] colt called Slater. He's out of the [VRC] Oaks winner Special Harmony and I won on him at his debut at Canterbury a few weeks ago and he's got that feel about him. He might be something special in the spring.
''It's also about time I spent some time at home with my little daughter [Piper] who's just five. So I want to make sure I'm free of pain when I finish up.''
Slater's trainer Chris Waller has booked Cassidy for three prized rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday: Al Nakhla in the Queensland Oaks, Pressday in the Sires' Produce and Stryker in the QTC Cup.