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For those wondering where apprentice jockey Syahir Abdul has been, rest assured he is still around, but he has put his budding riding career on hold due to a non-racing-related back issue which he is working on.

Not sighted at all on a racecard this season, the promising rider had been sidelined since the end of last season when he suddenly felt pain in his back. Having not fallen on or hurt that area, be it in racing or otherwise, the 27-year-old Singaporean decided to have it checked since it was not going away and was impeding his riding.

The MRI scans revealed his L4 and L5 were bulged up. Doctors advised rest and physiotherapy, which he has been following since the diagnosis.

Three months into the therapy, Syahir, who still helps out at his master Tan Kah Soon's stables every day, said he was making some progress, but it may take a while longer before he can get back in the saddle.

"Doctors say it will take another three months before I can ride again," said Syahir.

"It's strange as I don't know how it may have happened. I had no old injury that could have come back again, but it is what it is, and I just have to be patient.

"It has been frustrating, of course. At first, I wanted to find out if there was any quicker treatment to speed up the recovery.

"But my doctors told me not to rush it. I could have gone for injections, but I'd rather not do that and just let it heal naturally.

"My boss is understanding and is not rushing me either, and I thank him for that. I still go to the stables to do ground work and keep myself as fit as I can."

After getting his apprentice jockey's licence in 2015, Syahir has seen his career go in fits and starts, including a short stint in New Zealand. He enjoyed his most successful season last year under Tan's (whom he joined in 2018) tutelage, when he rode 12 winners for a wide cross-section of trainers, with only one (Superten) coming for his boss.

Syahir's last winner was Yulong Edition for Mark Walker on September 8, 2019.