Aldo Domeyer is starting biokinetic treatment this week in a bid to cure his ongoing back problems but he expects to be able to continue riding as normal.
He said: “I have been told that I have to do three things to get my back right – firstly physiotherapy which I began last week, now biokinetics and then treatment by a chiropractor.
”I still have the pain but I can ride through it as I now know that I am not doing more damage by continuing to ride, and that was what was worrying me.”
An increasing number of jockeys appear to be suffering from severe back problems, usually attributed to falls, but there is a suspicion that riding so short is aggravating the situation. In the last 12 years almost all jockeys in South Africa have pulled up their stirrups by at least one hole, often two.
“That could well be the case,” said Domeyer. “I ride shorter than I used to, riding work as well as race-riding.”
Domeyer, who gained his biggest win on Martial Eagle in the 2013 Met, has ridden 76 winners so far this season. He partners probable favourite Dutch Philip in the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery at Kenilworth on Saturday. The Candice Bass-Robinson colt has won three out of four including the Somerset 1200.
By Michael Clower