In the world of horse racing, every jockey dreams of being in the saddle, feeling the wind rush past as their trusty steed gallops towards victory. But for Nico de Boinville, that dream was temporarily shattered when he suffered a serious injury during his 2024/25 campaign. A C7 fracture in his neck forced him to hang up his riding boots and don a neck brace for six long weeks.
As the curtains fell on season one of Unbridled, De Boinville found himself in an unfamiliar position – that of a spectator. His beloved mount, Constitution Hill, was gearing up for a crucial race at the prestigious Punchestown Festival. Unable to participate due to his injury, De Boinville could only watch from afar as his star horse prepared to take on formidable opponents.
“I probably won’t watch it live,”
De Boinville confessed to Matt Chapman and Paddy Brennan, voices heavy with longing.
“It’s not easy being on the sidelines… but of course you want the horse to do well.”
The bittersweet mix of pride and yearning was palpable in his words as he spoke about wanting nothing but success for Constitution Hill and their dedicated team.
Constitution Hill had faced setbacks in recent races, stumbling under De Boinville’s guidance at Cheltenham and Aintree. Despite these falls, De Boinville remained steadfast in his belief in the horse’s abilities.
“Thoroughbreds are an intelligent breed… I know what he’s capable of,”
he mused optimistically. With James Bowen taking over the reins at Punchestown Champion Hurdle, hopes were high for a triumphant return to form.
The racing world buzzed with anticipation as pundits placed their bets on favorites like State Man and Golden Ace. Amidst this excitement, De Boinville reflected on Michael Buckley’s unwavering support – a beacon of strength during turbulent times.
“I’d love it for Michael… because he’s been such a good supporter of mine,”
De Boinville expressed with gratitude towards the owner who stood by him through thick and thin.
While spectators eagerly awaited Constitution Hill’s performance on the track, Paddy Brennan took a moment to honor outstanding achievements in the racing community with end-of-season awards. From acknowledging top horses like The New Lion to celebrating exceptional rides by jockeys like Sean Bowen, every accolade highlighted the passion and dedication prevalent within this competitive sport.
Despite facing uncertainty about his own recovery timeline, De Boinville remained resolute about returning to what he loved most – riding thoroughbreds towards glory.
“It’s not going to put me out,”
he affirmed confidently. The road ahead might be challenging, but with unwavering determination and support from fans and peers alike, Nico de Boinville was ready to conquer any obstacle that came his way.
As Constitution Hill thundered down the homestretch at Punchestown amidst cheers from spectators and pounding hooves reverberating through the air, one thing was certain – both horse and jockey were destined for greatness beyond measure.
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