Hollie Doyle Targeting April 1 Return from Injury

Hollie Doyle is targeting a return to the saddle on the first day of the Flat season at Doncaster April 1 after undergoing an operation on her elbow last week.

The leading jockey has been sidelined since taking a crashing fall at Wolverhampton Jan. 16 which fractured her elbow and ruptured the ligaments around it.

The six-time Group 1-winning rider was fired into the ground when her mount, The Perfect Crown, broke both front legs and was fatally injured in a freak incident in a seven-furlong claimer.

At the time of her fall, Doyle managed to walk to the ambulance and from there into the weighing room but x-rays later uncovered a fracture.

She said: "I had an operation on my elbow last Tuesday which went well. All being well I'm aiming to be back for the start of the turf season."

Doyle has had lots of physiotherapy on her arm since her fall, mostly at Oaksey House in Lambourn but does not yet know when she will return to the saddle. She added: "I'm progressing but I don't know when I'll be back riding out but it won't be for a while. Hopefully, I'll be back at Archie's (Watson's) sometime next month. I have my arm in a sling and will have for the next two weeks until I can get it moving again."