Racing: Tinsley out for eight weeks

Top jockey Hayden Tinsley is out for at least two months after fracturing his sternum in a heavy fall at Awapuni last Saturday.

Tinsley said the injury was revealed in x-rays yesterday and he had been advised to let it heal naturally.

"It's been fractured and there's nothing you can do about it," he said from his Palmerston North home.

Tinsley spent three nights in hospital after crashing to the turf during the running of race four at the Manawatu Racing Club's meeting.

He was discharged from hospital on Tuesday afternoon and expected to be off the scene for at least two months.

"The doctor's given me a minimum of eight weeks," Tinsley said.

He remembers nothing of the fall and said his mind was a blank for 24 hours from Saturday morning.

"I remember arriving onto the course and walking into the jockeys' room.

"But from about getting changed into my gear until late Sunday morning, I recall nothing."

Tinsley has ridden 30 winners this season, including the group one $200,000 Levin Classic aboard Wahid at Otaki on November 24.

- NZPA