Racehorse jockey Paul ‘Country’ Francis, who was among four top jockeys — including Dane Nelson, Vassel Najair and Richard Mitchell involved in a spill during the running of the sixth and seventh races at Caymanas Park on January 9 — says he will be ready to return to competitive racing tomorrow.

Francis fell from his mount Dinner By Seven, while Najair fell from Stir It Up approaching the half-mile in the seventh race. Following the spill, Francis was rushed to the University Hospital of the West Indies in an unconscious state and was hospitalised for observation, while Nelson, who suffered a broken nose and Najair whose right shoulder was dislocated, were released the same night from hospital.

Nelson returned to the saddle last Saturday.

Mitchell, who fell from his mount — as well as with Nelson — approaching the two-furlong pole in the sixth race, was sent home after receiving treatment from doctors on duty at the race track. Nelson was aboard Montegonian and Mitchell was astride Straightfromuheart.

In a short interview with The Complete Racing Guide, Francis said he got a clean bill of health to return to race riding.

“That is all water under the bridge now, as I’ve had a couple of exercising rides and I feel fine. The left shoulder which was lifeless when I came out of my unconscious state at the hospital is now back to its normal state and working fine.

“The weakness and numbness that existed in the shoulder after regaining consciousness are no longer present. That feeling has disappeared and the shoulder has returned to its normal strength. I have exercised a few horses in the mornings and the shoulder strength feels quite fine,” Francis said.

Francis acknowledged that horse racing can pose its own set of potential dangers, but he is undaunted.

“Well you know, horse racing is a very dangerous game, but I like it enough to have made a profession of it. Over the 14 years as a jockey, I have been through a lot and must give God thanks and praise that I have not had any serious mishap to keep me out of the saddle for any great length of time. This incident is the second time that I have not ridden for a short time. And this will not be more than two or so weeks as I am gearing to return to riding on Saturday’s (tomorrow) race card,” he said.