Jockey Jim McAleney, a winner of 2,177 lifetime races, was hurt in an on-track spill on October 31, at Woodbine, resulting in a broken collarbone, and lung and rib injuries. Now, he’s back and eager to get a quick start when the gates open on the 2011 Thoroughbred season, this Saturday, April 2.
The British Columbia native, who won 69 races last year, is fully healed after an off-season of working out in the gym and conferring with a naturopath.
He recently sat down with the Woodbine Communications Office to discuss his injury, his road to recovery and thoughts on the upcoming campaign.
Q: In terms of the injuries, what was the most difficult part to contend with, the physical or mental?
JM: “The physical was the worst part, for sure. No one ever wants to get hurt, but with injuries like that, it was the best time for it to happen. It was at the end of the year, so I was able to mentally allow myself to heal, as opposed to feeling rushed to get back. Typically, there are pressures to get back as soon as you can. This came at an opportune time. I could have the whole winter to mend.”
Q: During your time in the hospital, you had a steady flow of visitors.
Talk about the support you received when you were out of action.
JM: “It was really, really comforting. I had visitors dropping by non-stop. It was nice to see the support I did get. One thing a rider doesn’t need in a hospital, though, is a long window sill. It was constantly covered with food. There was everything. Fortunately, I didn’t eat it all, but there was enough for everyone that came.
When you’re going through that, it’s nice to see people care.”
Q: One key for a rider that has been in a spill is to get back on a horse the moment that it’s possible. Talk about the days leading up to that moment and the first time you were back in the saddle.
JM: “I was really, really surprised. Maybe, I questioned my fitness.
How fit was I? It was the softest I’d ever been. I remember the first horse I got on. I expected to be rusty. For me, as soon as I get on their back, and I go tie my knot, I’m thinking, ‘I can’t believe how rusty I am.’ And yet when I did it this time, I tied my knot, going around a shedrow in South Carolina, and it felt as if I had just done this yesterday. I didn’t feel like I had any rust at all. I felt balanced. I was pleasantly surprised and really happy at how it turned out to be.”
Q: You’ve had some injuries in the past. Yet you’ve always come back with some big years and put up big numbers when you returned. Is this a good omen heading into the 2011 campaign?
JM: “That’s exactly what I’m drawing off of. If it’s not an omen, I’m going to use it as one. I really did feel great getting on that first horse again. This game is all about attitude. If you have a positive attitude, it makes a huge difference in your career. You just have to find the ways to generate that. Sometimes, it comes naturally and sometimes you have to create it. Now, it’s natural.”
Q: Is it right to say this is the most excited you’ve been about a racing year?
JM: “I really am. I feel like I have the experience to know and understand the game as much as I possibly can. I have a freshness that will allow me to perform like a young rider. I feel really good.”
Q: You’ve ridden here for a long time. What makes Woodbine a good fit for you?
JM: “There is a security here. I’ve learned to really enjoy myself here. The purses are phenomenal. I went to the States one winter and I was going to try and make a go of it downout or gelled. I was happy about that. This is home. We have the best turf course in North America and we have the respect of the international racing community. I feel like I belong here and I feel like I fit in. Like they say, there’s no place like home.”
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