Dubai: Chris Hayes, stable jockey to veteran Jebel Ali Stables handler Dhruba Selvaratnam, has made a speedy recovery from injury and is ready to don the yard’s famous yellow silks as the pair look to repeat their success from last season.
Hayes, who had ridden 20 winners in the UAE last season, has been forced to miss 16 domestic meetings since he broke his right arm in an ill-fated riding accident during morning track work.
However, the 29-year-old former three-time apprentice champion in Ireland, is only looking to picking up his first rides at Meydan Racecourse next week.
“An injury never comes at a good time and it’s been very frustrating having to sit out on all the action,” said Hayes. “It was quite unexpected and really disappointing.
“Unfortunately it is one of the hazards of the job. But the recovery has gone well and I’m pain-free, fit and ready to go again.
“I just want to thank [Major General] Shaikh Ahmad [Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy chief of Police and Public Security] for being so patient with me the last couple of weeks.”
Hayes rode at just one meeting this season, the season-opener at Jebel Ali on October 28, before he suffered the setback that compelled Selvaratnam to fall back on several jockeys to stand in for his injured rider.
“It just isn’t consistent to have different jockeys ride your horses,” added Hayes. “So I also want to thank Dhruba for waiting on my recovery.
“I rode two lots the other morning and it felt very good. I just have to take it one day at a time as I start to get to know the horses again.
“It looks like Dhruba’s horses are starting to run well the last couple of meetings, so hopefully I can get back in the mix and give my helping hand as well.”
Selvaraatnam’s Market Rally provided Hayes with his biggest win in the UAE, when taking the Group 3 UAE 2,000 Guineas.
Selvaratnam admitted that it has been an equally frustrating time for him but acknowledged that injuries of this nature are part and parcel of the sport.
“You can’t do anything about things like this. You just have to hope and wish your jockey makes a quick recovery,” he said. “I’m happy that the worst is over and Chris will be able to ride our horses again.
“We had a good season last year and while our horses look like they have needed a couple of runs I’m pretty optimistic about the rest of the season.”
Selvaratnam has booked Qatar-based Harry Bentley for four rides at Jebel Ali on Friday and former two-time UAE champion jockey Brett Doyle for the weekend’s action at Al Ain on Saturday and Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
