Popular Cape-based jockey MJ Byleveld lost the chance to defend his 2020 Met title last month as a result of a Milnerton trackwork injury.
He was under the surgeon’s knife again at the Kingsbury Hospital on Monday for a bone graft and insertion of a screw in his ankle.
The popular Avontuur-sponsored rider became an overnight hometown hero when he downed British champion Ryan Moore in a terrific display of power riding in the 2020 Sun Met at Kenilworth.
MJ won the race on One World, with Moore going second on the then defending champ Rainbow Bridge.
That massive day! MJ salutes after the Met (Pic- Chase Liebenbegg)
History shows that Rainbow Bridge bounced back ten days ago under rising star Luke Ferraris to win the Cape flagship race for the second time, after grabbing top honours under Anton Marcus in 2019.
But for the luckless MJ Byleveld it’s been a trying five months watching from the sidelines, even deputising as a racing television guest on the big days, since fracturing his tibia and his ankle at Milnerton in September.
He underwent biokinetic rehabilitative therapy and was on the road to recovery and expecting to make an April comeback – but a nagging pain and follow-up at the specialist last week saw him in the Kingsbury operating theatre again on Monday, to have an additional screw inserted and for a bone graft.
“The original fracture didn’t knit and hopefully this procedure will remedy it. I’m not allowed to put weight on it, so it’s four weeks in a moon boot. Not a great thought but we have to grin and bear it. Time passes quickly, thankfully!’ added a still anaesthetised and groggy MJ.
He certainly has had his fair share of bad luck and it feels like he has spent more time than Neil Armstrong in the boot!
He sees the Doctor next Wednesday. Hopefully that will be one giant step towards recovery for the multiple Gr1 winner.
“That’s just a routine check up. At the moment I’m still groggy – it feels like I’ve had a case of Talk Of The Town wine! But on a serious note, could I please extend my thanks and appreciation to all those that have wished me well and asked after me. It’s really nice not to be forgotten and I appreciate all of the kind interest!”
