Gerrit Schlechter is unlikely to ride again but he cannot say he is going to be forced to retire until his insurance company gives its blessing.

He said: “I am still on medication and the osteoporosis and arthritis is so bad that my doctor has said that I could end up in a wheelchair if I have another fall.”

Schlechter, 51, is one of a select group to have won both the Vodacom Durban July (Eyeofthetiger in 2006) and the J & B Met (Past Master in 2011) but he has not ridden since last September when the problem was thought to be a prolapsed disc.

Noordhoek trainer Mike Stewart is also in the wars and he came close to losing his left eye in a freak accident a week ago.

He said: “I was leading a horse into the pens at Philippi. I don’t know exactly what happened, whether I was kicked or what, but I managed to drive myself home. I went to the optometrist and I was operated on the next day. I have torn the retina but I hope to get back most of my sight.”

– Michael Clower