WATCH: Limerick jockey Wesley Joyce celebrates first win since returning from serious injury lay-off

RESILIENT Limerick jockey Wesley Joyce celebrated his first win back in the saddle since returning to race riding following serious injury sustained at Galway in the summer of 2022.

Talented Moyross horseman Joyce was sidelined for 12 months as he recovered from a bad fall from Red Heel in the Listed Corrib Fillies Stakes at the Galway summer festival.

The 20-year-old sustained a vascular injury within his chest, damage to his larynx and also to his lungs, ribs and collarbone.

However, the courageous horseman has made a remarkable recovery from his injuries and after a number of close calls on the track in recent weeks, the popular Limerick man recorded his first winner back on Wednesday evening when partnering Trueba to success in the first division of the 7f handicap at Cork Racecourse.

Making the win extra special for Joyce was the fact that his mother was there to see him record his success.

"It’s been a while coming," Joyce told Racing TV afterwards.

Things you love to see . . . Wesley Joyce back in the winner's enclosure.

A heartwarming interview with Johnny Ward at @corkracecourse pic.twitter.com/7guMz8CO1l

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 30, 2023

"I’ve been hitting the crossbar in the past three or four weeks with three or four seconds and a couple of thirds. I was thinking when was the winner going to come.

"Trueba gave me a winner early in my career, in Limerick, so he’s been a good servant for me. Since the fall the journey has been hard but to come back riding is all I ever wanted to do. I’m so grateful to be here riding, especially riding a winner.

"I’m back to 100 percent fitness but I was told that I’d only have 80 percent of my breathing, so I have to work extra hard on my fitness, which I’ve been doing. 

"It’s great to have my mother here as it’s her first time to see me ride a winner. She’s happy and that’s all I want: to make her happy."