Darren Danis is developing a knack for making a comeback from career-threatening injuries, but he is hoping his run of serious injuries is now at an end.
In 2017, Danis broke his back in a race fall, but made a relatively quick recovery, returning to raceday riding just eight months later, while last November, he was met by a similar fate when involved in an incident at the Waipa trials where he sustained a fractured C4 and C5 vertebrae, leading to a lengthy time on the sidelines.
It has been a slow and steady road to recovery, and for a time Danis wasn’t sure if he would make a return to the saddle, but the determined rider did just that at Matamata last month, and was rewarded with his first win aboard the John Bell-trained Muscovado at the Waikato venue on Saturday.
“When we got close to the line, he gave me his all and we both really wanted it,” Danis said. “When we got across the line in first it was just a relief.
“It’s a lot of weight off my shoulders. All of that hard work, perseverance and grit finally paid off.
“It’s been good to be back and it’s just good to be out there with the rest of the jockeys.”
While pleased to be out competing once again on raceday, Danis said his return took a little longer than anticipated.
“I was meant to come back in August but unfortunately my neck was still giving me quite a bit of problems,” he said.
“I wasn’t getting much flexion and I couldn’t really turn my neck a certain degree.
“I was progressing from a riding perspective with jumpouts and track work, but being in the aerodynamic position of a jockey and trying to look upwards, I couldn’t really do that at the start.
“The bones were just too jarred up and stiff, so we had to go back to the drawing board and find a better plan for the next couple of months to get it moving right again and to come back as soon as possible.
“I have worked with the people at Matamata physio, Recharge therapy in Cambridge and my chiropractor. They are all good at what they do and each of them helped the progress of getting my flexion back. I had to do it religiously and they were really good and helped a lot.
“I am still seeing them. It has to be an ongoing thing.”
Danis said while recuperating from his physical injuries was tough, the mental side of his recovery was even harder, with the Matamata hoop battling with thoughts of retirement throughout his rehabilitation.
“After breaking my neck, I was contemplating whether I should come back, but it is just the love for the game,” he said. “I don’t blame the horses for anything, it is all just part of the journey.”
His partner, promising apprentice jockey Hayley Hassman, has played a big part in his recovery, and Danis said they have supported each other, with Hassman having also been sidelined with injury earlier this year.
“We have helped each other out through that period where we both needed the support,” he said.
Danis is hoping to continue his winning momentum, and he is excited for the challenge of trying to re-establish himself among the competitive northern riding ranks.
“I want to find my own rhythm and spark again,” he said. “I will keep riding and keep my head up, work hard and see what the season brings.”