3 minute read

The stars have aligned for South Australian jockey Emily Finnegan to re-launch her career on St Patrick’s Day.

Emily Finnegan hails from Ireland – and speaks with a delightful and disarming Irish brogue – but has been missing from form guides since July 2020, due to injury. 

Coinciding with the global celebration of Irish culture, the 27-year-old – who has ridden 281 winners – is making a low-key return at today's Balaklava meeting, taking one ride, Dorothy Rose, in race two. 

It marks the latest major comeback for Finnegan, who had knee surgery six months ago, but has also been dealing with a troublesome shoulder she injured on Adelaide Cup Day 2019. 

"I ripped ligaments off my shoulder and kind of hurt my knee in the same fall," she said. 

"I was 12 months out with my shoulder, then when I got back last year I was riding for about six months, but having to get regular cortisone shots into my knee." 

Mid-way through a meeting last July – coincidentally also at Balaklava – Finnegan realised her constant discomfort was impacting her performance. 

"I felt like I couldn't give my rides 100 per cent," she said. 

"That day was the final straw, so I pulled the pin, went and got a second opinion on my knee and was told I needed surgery." 

Finnegan underwent what is known as a "triple T" – a tibial tubercle transfer. 

"Basically they took bone from my shin and pulled my kneecap down, then put two screws in my shinbone to keep my knee in place, because it was a bit wobbly," she said. 

"They stabilised it as much as they could." 

Finnegan then launched into a lengthy period of rehabilitation, involving hydrotherapy, "intense physiotherapy", dry needling and plenty of fitness work. 

However, she revealed her comeback campaign had a more determined edge this time around. 

"I can't wait to get back out there – and I feel like last injury I came in a little half-hearted," she said. 

"But this time I've got that little bit of drive in my belly and have a few things to prove. 

"I've only ridden six months in the last two years. I've got that will to win again." 

Finnegan started riding trackwork around Christmas time and has been slowly building her output since, now taking up to seven or eight rides each morning. 

During her layoff she was helping out at a local conditioning and rehabilitation centre, Equine Advancement, where she stumbled upon an unexpected advantage of the facility. 

"They have a spa… so when the horses are finished with that and I clean the machine, I hop into it and stand in there for a few minutes," she said. 

"It's just like standing at the beach, so it's great." 

Managing her knee in particular will be an ongoing task, and Finnegan says she expects to learn more at today's meeting. 

"I don't really get much pain from my shoulder, but it will probably always have that general weakness, even though it's as good as it's going to get," she said. 

"With the knee… I just need to take that next step to see whether it will hold up and I can ride in those short irons, or whether I have to drop them down a couple of holes and get in that comfortable position." 

Despite her long and thorough rehabilitation campaign, Finnegan says nothing substitutes for race riding and – reflecting her native country's sense of humour – she nails an equine equivalent to today's assignment. 

"I hope I don't pull up too heavy in the wind afterwards," she laughed. 

"And I dare say there's plenty of improvement in me."