FORMER Border jockey Peter Robl has conceded his riding days might be over after suffering the most serious mishap of his career in January.
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Robl took a potentially career-ending race fall at a meeting at Scone and has admitted “D-Day” will come in July on whether he makes a return.
The 1998 Albury Gold Cup winning rider was back on the Border yesterday for the launch of this year’s event at the Commercial Club.
“I will be governed by what the neurosurgeon says,” he said.
“My neck is still quite painful and it is a 50-50 scenario.
“It is not a case of whether I do or don’t want ride.
“It is a case of whether they say I can or can’t ride again.”
Robl, 36, visits the Prince of Wales Hospital spinal unit weekly.
He’ll receive a recovery update on Tuesday.
He suffered a cracked vertebra in a race fall at Rosehill in late 2008, but he said the Scone mishap was more serious, and couldn’t feeling his arms and legs for 20 minutes.
“I injured my spine between the C4 and C5 vertebra,” he said.
“But I can’t focus on the disappointment side of things at this point.
“I’ve stayed positive with the belief I will get back in the saddle.”
After dominating the Southern Districts Racing Association, Robl went to Sydney in late 2007 and has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks which has included group 1 success.
The day after the 2008 Albury Cup he won the Rosehill Guineas on Dealer Principal.
