Chad comes back to earth with nasty thud

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X-RAYS have revealed rising jockey Chad Schofield had suffered a fractured vertebrae after a horror fall at Cranbourne.

Schofield fractured the C3 vertebrae and was being transferred to the Alfred hospital in Melbourne to consult a specialist.

Despite the worrying injury, Schofield was in seemingly good spirits and had a full range of movement.

Father Glyn and sister Tiffany Schofield both boarded a flight last night to be with Chad in Melbourne.

The incident comes one day after the young rider was on top of the world when he steered Sonntag to victory in the Queensland Derby.

Schofield has told The Daily Telegraph for the very first time how he had held genuine fears about what would happen after he quit his post as David Hayes' No. 1 stable rider this year.

Schofield and Hayes were involved in a very public spat.

While Schofield posed for photos with punters at Eagle Farm, his mood was quickly soured when he was one of three jockeys involved in a fall at Cranbourne on Sunday.

Apprentice Ben Thompson, who was heavily concussed in the fall but soon gained consciousness, was being kept overnight at Dandenong Hospital for observation.

The other jockey, Steven Arnold, was released from the hospital without injury,

The injury is a huge setback for Schofield given his red-hot run in the saddle.

It is often accepted in racing that a jockey's toughest time is when they first come out of their apprenticeship, but for Schofield the transition couldn't have gone smoother.

Chad Schofield celebrates aboard Lankan Rupee after winning the Newmarket Handicap. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

As it stands, Schofield, 23-year-old Tommy Berry — as well as James McDonald, 22 — are the Generation Next jockeys who are sure to be punters' favourites during the spring and many years to come.

"Everyone says when you first come out of your time, it's the hardest time in your career, but for me, it's been the best time of my career,'' said Schofield, whose other Group 1 triumphs came courtesy of Shamus Award, Lankan Rupee and Go Indy Go.

"For me, I went 'bang bang' and rode some Group 1 (winners), so I was very fortunate the transition was prosperous.

"The temptation was always there to remain with David. I love riding for David, he was so good to me, he's got a powerhouse stable, and I thought maybe I had done the wrong thing. But the success I've had makes me happy I've backed my judgment.''

Schofield is looking forward to the likes of Sonntag, Go Indy Go, and Peter Moody's filly Bring Me The Maid in the spring. The well-spoken South African pointed out he had made a concerted effort to target the major carnivals this season, and his four majors had come in three different states.

Big-race ace Glen Boss waited for Schofield after the last at Eagle Farm on Saturday as he posed for photos with punters.

Chad Schofield wins the Adelaide Cup on Outback Joe. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

"He's got a great reputation, he rides really well, he's got a good head on his shoulders, he speaks well, he's intelligent, and he's got a bit of shit about him, which you need to have,'' Boss said.

"He's a good listener, and he wants to be No. 1.''

While Schofield will be around for years to come, so, too, will Berry, who bagged his eighth major on Saturday on Almalad in the JJ Atkins (1600m).

Remarkably, it was only Berry's third Group 1 on Australian soil this season, with five big wins in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Berry rode at Sha Tin last night, but was delighted with his decision to turn his back on Honkers for the sake of returning home and resuming his role as Gai Waterhouse's No. 1 rider in the next season.

Almalad was one horse he was keen on in the spring, with the Golden Rose a likely target.

"There's The Offer in the Melbourne Cup, Dan Excel in the Cox Plate, and I'm looking forward to the return of Overreach,'' said Berry, in reference to the 2013 Golden Slipper winner who arguably put him on the map.

Chad Schofield settles eventual winner Shamus Award at the front of the field in last year's Cox Plate as the contenders pass the post on the first occasion. Picture: Jay Town Source: News Limited

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