Top Jockey Repeats Big Mistake in Horse Racing Season as Femur Recovery Shuts Down Plans

Ryan Moore has always lived for the big moments in horse racing. However, an all-too-familiar shadow now hovers over his season. After battling thigh pain since late June, a scan revealed a stress fracture in his femur. As a result, he was forced to withdraw from all rides at a critical time. For a jockey who thrives on pressure, this isn’t just bad luck. Instead, it highlights a pattern of pushing beyond limits that now risks the entire season. Consequently, fans, trainers, and bettors are left facing uncertainty. Moore misses all five of Aidan O’Brien’s mounts at The Curragh, including the highly favored Mission Central. Ultimately, everyone is left wondering if this time the cycle will finally break.

With second jockey Wayne Lordan already sidelined by a 10-day whip ban, Moore’s absence throws O’Brien’s plans into disarray. Irish Champions Weekend, the St Leger, and key targets at Leopardstown and the Curragh are suddenly up in the air. Moore’s withdrawal, after feeling “sore,” signals the seriousness of the injury. O’Brien recently gave an update on his injury.

O’Brien explained the situation to Racing TV: “Yeah, Ryan is good. Obviously, he’s been struggling with his right leg since after Irish, terribly, and then he was getting the last off and trying to keep it right… But he had a scan yesterday, and when they did the scan, they found the fracture in his femur. So, obviously, he had no choice but just to give it time… it’s far from a problem, but it’s just gonna obviously take a bit of time to get right.”

When asked about the wider implications, O’Brien didn’t mince words: “I would say so…the biggest bone in your body, and he can’t take any chance with that. He said he was very lucky it didn’t break… he wanted to find out exactly what was happening, and that’s what he did, and it’s the 100 percent right thing. Time, and he’ll be back.” Moore continued horse racing and won at the highest level without knowing the injury’s full extent.

His last victories came on horse racing’s biggest stages, including the Ebor Festival at York with Minnie Hauk in the Yorkshire Oaks (G1). Furthermore, he was active at Deauville just days later. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a misjudgment of his physical limits has cost him crucial rides. Moore’s decision to push on, despite warning signs, echoes past mistakes and now threatens to derail his season once again.

A pattern of pushing too hard in horse racing

Back in 2016, Ryan Moore was first warned about the importance of rest after dealing with persistent soreness in horse racing. A specialist advised the leading flat jockey that “complete rest is the best option” as he recovered from a hip issue.

Moore acknowledged the need for caution, saying, “I’m not going to rush it. I want to be 100% for all the major races in the autumn,” while missing key fixtures like York’s four-day Ebor Festival. The setback also affected his chances of winning the jockeys’ championship. Even before that, in 2015, Moore had to pause his career due to a neck injury.

With 171 starts, 31 wins, 21 second place finishes, and 13 thirds, earning over $32 million, Moore has remained Aidan O’Brien’s number one rider. Moreover, he has consistently performed at the top level, claiming multiple victories at major festivals like the Ebor Festival at York and the Yorkshire Oaks (G1).

Now, with months of recovery ahead, silence replaces the roar of the crowd and the clatter of hooves. Ultimately, this shows that even the most gifted athletes in horse racing are not immune to the unpredictability of sport.