Some irony in Chad Schofield’s t-shirt
Young SA born Australian-based jockey Chad Schofield has endured mental and physical pain during the past 12 months that would severely test any 20-year-old.
After winning last year’s Gr1 Cox Plate on Shamus Award while an apprentice, he has suffered three bad race falls, split with his master David Hayes to embark on a freelance career, lost his brother-in-law, popular jockey Nathan Berry, to a rare disease, and been out of the saddle as often as in it because of repeated suspensions.
On Sunday he sat in the Geelong Hospital contemplating two of his major problems — he is recovering from a nasty fall from Classic Charm in the Briseis Cup that happened on Sunday and, at the same time, starting the first day of a 12-meeting ban.
Victorian Jockeys Association chief executive Des O’Keeffe suggested that “what has happened to him would rattle any 20-year-old”.
“He is a great young man. He has shown great qualities as a person and a jockey, but he just needs to get some balance in his life,” O’Keeffe said.
He said Schofield, despite his youth, was resilient and that neither the falls nor the suspensions and outside pressures would adversely affect him.
Chad Schofield
Schofield, who has been riding in superb form since returning from a 31-meeting suspension that cost him the start of the spring carnival, will be sidelined for at least six weeks.
“The preliminary prediction is that he will be out for six weeks, and doctors have told him to expect to be in significant pain for the first couple of weeks,” O’Keeffe said.
“He will then have more X-rays and scans when he feels better but I’d expect he won’t be back until early in the new year.
“This would test the strongest character. But everything he has displayed suggests his determination to deal and respond to adversity will make him confident to return.
“With everyone there is a tipping point so we will make sure he is comfortable and confident as he can be for a return.”
Chad Schofield rode De Little Engine to victory at Sandown on Saturday.
Chad Schofield rode De Little Engine to victory at Sandown on Saturday. Source: Getty Images
Chad Schofield with his Mom and Dad
O’Keeffe said Schofield was lucky to have supportive parents — his father veteran jockey Glyn and his mother flew from Sydney to be by his side.
The physical dramas won’t stop him, O’Keeffe insisted.
“They are totally unrelated,” he said. “The neck problem from the fall in June (which sidelined him for two months) has not been disturbed. The head injury (concussion) suffered at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day is in a different part of the body to what he sustained at Geelong on Sunday.
“He has three serious falls this year but the injuries are unrelated. The fall at Geelong has left him with a nasty gash above his elbow and two minor fractures to the T7 and T8 of the spine, which will not require a brace or surgery.
“He had an operation on Monday to ensure the wound is completely clean and sewn up properly.”
Schofield already boasts five Gr1 wins.
“He will be glad to see the end of 2014,” O’Keeffe said.
CHAD SCHOFIELD’S HORRID 2014
JANUARY — 12 meeting suspension.
FEBRUARY — 12 meeting suspension.
MARCH – Splits with master David Hayes.
APRIL — Loses brother-in-law and fellow jockey Nathan Berry who dies of exotic disease while in Singapore.
APRIL — 10 meeting suspension, his eighth careless riding charge in 12 months.
JUNE 7 — Wins fifth Group 1, Queensland Derby on Sonntag.
JUNE 8 — Fractures C3 vertebrae in race fall at Cranbourne and out of action for two months.
AUGUST — 31 meeting suspension for improper riding at Caulfield.
SEPTEMBER — Loses suspension appeal at VCAT, misses Caulfield carnival.
OCTOBER — Suffers concussion after Cox Plate day fall.
DECEMBER 6 — 12 meeting suspension for careless riding, beginning after Sunday meeting at Geelong
DECEMBER 7 — Suffers spinal fractures after fall at Geelong.
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