PUNTERS have fallen in love with a jockey who has no voice after he made his return to racing a year after he was intensive care.
Wesley Joyce broke several ribs, punctured his lung, broke his shoulder and fractured his larynx in a devastating incident at Galway Festival.
He was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being ‘ejected from the saddle’ in a 7f sprint.
Fortunately he pulled through and over the next 12 months worked away incredibly hard behind the scenes to return to the sport.
That dream became a reality earlier this week when the 7lb claimer rode in his first race since at Naas in Ireland.
Joyce, 20, came last on his return but then burst back into life with a runner-up finish on Wave Machine in a 6f handicap.
He spoke to Racing TV’s Gary O’Brien about what it meant to be back.
But his words were reduced to a barely audible whisper as a result of the fall which smashed his voice box.
Speaking ever so quietly into the mic, Joyce said: “Coming here, I was nervous. But I am very thankful to Johnny Murtagh for giving me the opportunity to ride his horse.
“It’s been very tough. Tough. The breathing was a bit bad at one stage. But it’s been worth it.
“I just had to remember what I wanted to be – a jockey.
“And I’m not giving up. I’m going to chase my dreams and get that done.”
Punters praised Joyce’s ‘balls of steel’ for having the bravery to race again after it almost cost him his life.
One said: “What a brilliant guy Wesley is, great mindset and will achieve his goals no doubt!”
Another wrote: “Unbelievable strength, well done Wesley. Great to see you back.”
One Twitter post read: “Met him almost a year ago at the rehabilitation centre and to be honest, despite his obvious determination, I could never see him sit on a horse again.
“What a determined inspirational young man, thrilled for him. #rolemodel.”
Another said: “Truly an inspirational young man.”
While a fellow punter wrote: “Wesley Joyce you are some man. A great jockey and an inspiration to everyone.
“You are the definition of the word courage.”
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