Sarah O’Reilly back doing light duties

Mid-Canterbury reinswoman Sarah O’Reilly is back doing light duties at Brent and Tim White’s Ashburton barn.

O’Reilly had a training accident at the Ashburton track in July of last year, breaking the humerus bone in her arm. It required surgery, but a subsequent CT scan revealed she would need a plate in her arm to allow it to completely heal.

“I’ve had my x-ray and they say it’s all healed up now and I went back to work today for the first time,” O’Reilly said.

She’s working for just three hours a day.

“I’m just driving some quiet horses in trackwork. I’ve been going to the gym every day to do the exercises I was given by the physio.”

O’Reilly will slowly build up her hours in the coming weeks but is unsure when she’ll return to race day driving.

American Me is the horse she’s missed most while she’s been away from driving.

O’Reilly has driven the eight year old in six of his sixteen wins, including his most important victories in the Methven Cup, the Group One Invercargill Cup and the Roy Purdon Memorial.

Sarah has had some worrying times due to the length of time the injury took to heal.

“I was worried after my surgery, but I just kept going and pushed through. I did everything I had to do, but it was pretty painful.”

She says her family have been her biggest support in the fourteen months she’s been off the scene.

“They’ve been positive and helpful with my recovery.”

O’Reilly now holds a trainers licence and the horse she trains, Sweet Betty, was back at the races at Motukarara yesterday.

“She didn’t have too much luck in the running, sitting parked. She’s nominated for Timaru this week so hopefully she’ll get a better run.”

O’Reilly’s been attending most Sunday race meetings in the Canterbury region, so she still feels in touch.

The talented and popular driver is expected to be well supported by trainers when she returns to the racetrack.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink