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    25 June 2023

    Star footballer Dwyer confirms absence from upcoming King George tournament due to injury concerns

    The Curious Case of Martin Dwyer’s Injury and Pyledriver’s King George Victory

    It was a bittersweet moment for jockey Martin Dwyer as he watched Pyledriver claim victory in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. The win meant that Pyledriver was now set to defend his title in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but unfortunately, Dwyer would not be fit to ride him.

    Dwyer suffered a knee injury while riding out for Brian Meehan over fifteen months ago, and despite undergoing surgery, his recovery has been slow and unpredictable. Although he recently had an operation to remove scar tissue from his knee, which helped him make some progress towards full fitness, he is still far from being able to race again.

    “The surgeons are happy and mechanically it is working,” said Dwyer. “He has kind of fixed it, but it is a bit like when you have a horse with an injury. You think ‘he’s so much better now we’ll give him a canter,’ but when you canter him he’s lame the next day.”

    Meanwhile, William Muir and Chris Grassick-trained Pyledriver made an impressive comeback after being sidelined due to injury for almost a year. With PJ McDonald in the saddle since last July’s King George success under Dwyer could not ride due to his injured knee), Pyledriver won Saturday’s Group Two contest against West Wind Blows at Royal Ascot.

    Muir confirmed that Pyledriver took the race well: “He’s grand this morning. He’s really good – come out of it like a gazelle.” McDonald will likely deputize once more for Muir’s son-in-law in the King George.

    The Liverpool-born jockey, who turns 48 on Wednesday, has split his time between providing TV punditry and rehab at Lambourn’s Oaksey House. While he is not openly considering retirement, Dwyer understands that recovering from his injury will take time as he continues to receive excellent care.

    “They are great at Oaksey House,” said Dwyer. “The physios have been superb. Jerry Hill, the BHA doctor speaks personally to my surgeon; they communicate and try different things so I could not be better looked after.”

    With Pyledriver set to defend his title next month without Martin Dwyer in the saddle, it remains to be seen whether this curious case of injury and victory will continue down its unpredictable path or finally resolve itself with a return of one of racing’s most well-known faces back into action.

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