Senior jockey Peter Robl will be out of action for at least three months after doctors discovered bruising to his spinal cord following a heavy fall at Scone on January 16.

Peter Robl will be on the sidelines for at least 3 months because of bruising to the spinal cord. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Robl was airlifted by helicopter to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital after hitting the ground hard when his mount In My Image bucked shortly after the start in the first race of the day.

Apprentice Rachael Murray was also dislodged from her mount Abbey News in the incident and after initially being treated on course, she later went to Scone hospital after complaining of severe headaches.

On course medical attendants were very concerned with Robl’s condition immediately after the crash but hospital staff released Robl that night clearing him of any major spinal injury.

Robl was in fairly high spirits when released from hospital and told The Daily Telegraph of his conversation with the ambulance officers who were first to treat him on course.

”I told the ambulance bloke I was in trouble, and then my toes began to burn in my boots,” Robl said.

“The ambo said, ‘the burning in the toes is the best thing that could happen to you’.

“The saddle slipped as soon as we jumped, and after five or six strides, she began to buck.

“I gave myself a ‘one out of 10’ for my landing.

“I reckon I’ve spent too much time in the city because when I was in the bush, I would have taken control of a bucking horse like that.

“I wish I could get back on her next week, just to show her who’s boss. But I’ll be out now for two to three weeks,” Robl said at the time.

But the latest tests have revealed some bruising to the spinal cord with doctors saying the popular rider will need at least three months to recover.

Robl has ridden twenty-three winner’s this season on Sydney Metropolitan tracks and has established himself in the top ten riders in Sydney since moving from the country several years ago.