It’s probably safe to say that only a small percentage of North America harness racing followers knew the name Chris Meehan before his bizarre accident at an Italian Thoroughbred raceway landed his story on the front page of the Standardbred Canada website.
In early July, the 22-year-old jockey had gone down due to a racing accident, which saw him get kicked in the face, break his nose, get knocked unconscious, and suffer a laceration along his jaw that ultimately required 27 stitches to seal. The on-track ambulance was dispatched to come to Meehan’s aid. The racetrack was not that wide and the ambulance had to reverse to turn around. It was then that the ambulance reversed over the rider’s outstretched leg and broke it.
According to an update by Racing Post, Meehan, who hails from Northern Ireland, has had his cast removed and could possibly be back riding in weeks.
"I just have to wait and see what they say at the hospital and take it from there,” Racing Post has quoted Meehan as saying, “but I'd say I'd be back on a horse by September at the latest, almost certainly."
Meehan also conveyed that his recovery has gone well – well enough to consider a return to the irons this month. “Although, that would be pushing it,” he said.
(With files from Racing Post)