McEvoy dashes back Down Under

Kerrin McEvoy's memorable first season riding in England has ended on a tragic note after the man who inspired him into a career in the saddle broke his neck in a riding accident.

McEvoy has ridden 44 winners in his role as second jockey to Godolphin and was lauded for one of the rides of the season when driving Rule Of Law to a memorable first Classic success in the St Leger.

However, the 23-year-old from Streaky Bay near Adelaide has flown home to be at the bedside of his 74-year-old grandfather Bill Holland, who has suffered life threatening injuries in a fall from a filly he was exercising.

Mr Holland remains in intensive care on a life support machine having been airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital.

McEvoy's father Phillip broke the news to his son in a 30-minute phone call and described the accident as "an absolute tragedy".

He added: "Bill was still so active for someone of his age. He'd just come back from shearing 160 sheep a day and was about to re-apply for his trainer's licence. Kerrin is pretty upset, but he rode yesterday before getting on a plane to get home as quickly as possible."

McEvoy now seems highly unlikely to return to England before the Melbourne Cup on 2 November, in which he is due to partner one of a Godolphin team made up of Mamool, Razkalla and Fantastic Love.

The trio were due to arrive in Australia today, but Godolphin's Simon Crisford has stressed that plans for the trio are far from finalised.