BBC Radio Wales to feature champion amateur jockey Isabel Tompsett

Champion amateur jockey Isabel Tompsett – who suffered life-threatening injuries after a fall last year – is the subject of BBC Radio Wales’ The Back Page programme to be broadcast tomorrow, (Saturday 3 March) at 8.30am.

The jockey fell at Fakenham racecourse in Norfolk on 22 May last year.

She was resuscitated twice on the course and was in a coma for six weeks with severe head injuries.

Presenter Aly Rowell talks to Ms Tompsett, her friends and colleagues – including A P McCoy who was at Fakenham on the day of the fall – about her recovery nine months on.

Ms Tompsett, who is also a qualified vet said: “I can see that I am slowly progressing. I just want to be able to go to the gym and do everything normal.”

She is currently recuperating in Oaksey House, a rehabilitation centre for jockeys in Lambourn.

Lady Oaksey, the wife of Lord Oaksey, founder of the Injured Jockeys Fund which set up Oaksey House said: “I’ve always been staggered how wonderfully together she is, when you think of her degree of head damage.”

The programme also explores the wider issue of jockey safety with the help of leading National Hunt jockey Ruby Walsh and former champion jockey John Francome.

The Back Page will also be available to listen to for seven days after it is broadcast at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer

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