Racing legend Cyril Small, best known as the jockey for the formidable front-runner Vo Rogue, has been admitted to hospital after suffering a major stroke.
The 67-year-old jockey experienced a serious health event on Saturday and was promptly transferred to Gold Coast University Hospital, as confirmed yesterday by the Queensland Jockeys’ Association in a public statement.
The former jockey’s breathing is currently being supported by mechanical ventilation, and there has been a reduction in brain inflammation, with indications of improvement now appearing.
It is understood that doctors will consider removing Small from the ventilator today.
“Cyril has a long journey ahead of him and will need all the fighting spirit he is famous for to get through this,” the QJA statement said.
“Braidon and Daniel (sons) rushed from Victoria (Saturday night) to be at his bedside along with his wife Lynlea, daughter Jessica as well as family friends Jeff Perry and his daughter Cymone.
“The Small family want to thank the expert care of the paramedics and the doctors and nurses at Gold Coast University hospital but have requested privacy at this time and thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and will provide updates to the Queensland Jockeys’ Association through Glen Prentice in due course.”
Small’s extensive riding career began in 1974, achieving his first winner at Casino. He continued to ride until three years ago but will always be remembered as the jockey who partnered the Queensland champion, Vo Rogue.
Vo Rogue, trained by the late Vic Rail, was celebrated for its courageous ‘catch-me-if-you-can’ efforts during a golden era of weight-for-age racing from 1987-90, competing against and defeating champions such as Super Impose, Better Loosen Up, and Bonecrusher.
Small rode Vo Rogue in 22 of its 26 career wins, including all six of its Group 1 victories – two Australian Cups, the George Main Stakes, the William Reid Stakes, the Futurity Stakes, and the Winfield Stakes.
Vo Rogue also won three CF Orr Stakes and two Turnbull Stakes. These races were Group 2 events at the time but have since been upgraded to Group 1 level.
When the champion horse was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2019, Small paid tribute to Vo Rogue.
“Vo Rogue had a big heart and just had a lot of natural ability,” Small said. “His front-running tactics sparked people up … I think racing needed that at the time.”
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