Key Points
- Jockey Brendan Powell broke his forearm in a fall at the first fence of a novice handicap chase at Plumpton Racecourse.
- Powell was riding the Joe Tizzard-trained Diamond Days, who stumbled after the fence and tripped over the unseated rider.
- Medical staff treated Powell on the track after he was briefly knocked unconscious, before taking him by ambulance to a hospital in Brighton.
- Full-body scans came back clear, but X-rays showed both bones in Powell’s forearm were broken, requiring surgery.
- Trainer Joe Tizzard confirmed on Tuesday morning that Diamond Days was not injured in the fall.
- The injury rules Powell out of upcoming rides at Aintree later this week, including mounts on JPR One and Alexei.
Plumptonl (Oxford Daily) November 3, 2026 – As reported by Maddy Playle of Racing Post, jockey Brendan Powell is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken forearm in a heavy fall at Plumpton on Monday afternoon. The 31-year-old rider was partnering the Joe Tizzard-trained Diamond Days in the 2m4f novice handicap chase when the five-year-old gelding made a costly mistake at the opening obstacle.
As reported by Melissa Jones of The Mirror, Powell attempted to stay aboard the 5-1 chance but slipped out of the saddle, pulled the horse’s reins as he went down, and was ultimately knocked unconscious as the horse tripped over him and slid into the rails. Medical personnel rushed to the scene immediately, providing on-track treatment before moving the rider into an ambulance. The subsequent race on the Plumpton card was delayed by 11 minutes while the medical team stabilised the jockey.
What Was The Immediate Medical Assessment Following The Incident?
As reported by Racing TV, presenter Hayley Moore provided an immediate update on-air during the broadcast of the race meeting:
“The doctors have informed me he is conscious and he is off to hospital. I know that’s not exactly positive news but I think we will all take that when a jockey has woken up. We know how risky it is and the injuries that can suffer. It was one of those falls that didn’t look like it was going to be much and then he pulled the horse down on top of him, knocked himself out. It was pretty horrible to watch. I just hope he is going to be home soon and back to his family.”
Following his transfer to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, Powell underwent comprehensive medical evaluation. On Monday evening, his father, former jockey and trainer Brendan Powell senior, shared a detailed update via social media regarding his son’s condition.
As reported by Racing Post, Brendan Powell senior posted on X:
“Update on Brendan. Had a full body scan and thankfully all clear. But unfortunately has broken both bones in his forearm. They will require surgery hopefully tomorrow. He also has some lacerations to his face but only superficial.”
How Did The Stable And Trainers Respond To The News?
On Tuesday morning, trainer Joe Tizzard confirmed that Diamond Days had escaped the terrifying spill without sustaining any injuries. The horse walked away completely unscathed despite bringing down the fence and sliding heavily onto the turf.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Brendan Powell senior spoke regarding the hospital care and recovery timeline for his son. As reported by Racing TV, Powell senior stated:
“I know the NHS is very busy and everything, but he’s actually still lying on a bed in a hallway in the hospital in Brighton. They X-rayed him at about 7.30pm last night and stuck a plaster on his arm, which is broken in two places. But nobody has been to say whether it’s going to be operated on or not yet, he’s just been lying there for 12 or 13 hours.”
He added further context on the timing of the setback:
“It couldn’t have happened at a worse time, but it’s the same for everyone. He’s a bit battered and bruised and has a few cuts on his face, but it could have been a lot worse. We’ll just have to see what they do now. They’ll probably plate it or pin it. Things like that normally take six to eight weeks to heal, but we’ll see. Hopefully he can get back by Christmas or something like that.”
The race itself was eventually restarted after the fence was omitted on the second circuit, with the Anthony Honeyball-trained Walk In The West taking victory under jockey Sam Twiston-Davies.
Background Of The Particular Development
Brendan Powell has been enjoying one of the strongest periods of his riding career. Operating as the primary stable jockey for Dorset-based trainer Joe Tizzard, Powell had mounted a formidable campaign in recent weeks. During October 2026, he operated at a strike rate of over 24 per cent, securing 26 winners early in the 2026–27 National Hunt season.
This momentum built directly upon his impressive performance in the 2025–26 campaign, where he partnered 57 winners—his second-highest seasonal tally since taking out his license in the 2010–11 season. Powell had recently teamed up with Tizzard to land major successes, including guiding JPR One to victory at Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting and riding Triple Trade to win a competitive veterans’ chase at Market Rasen just days later.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect National Hunt Racing And The Tizzard Stable
This unexpected injury creates an immediate disruption for both Brendan Powell and the Joe Tizzard yard during a crucial period in the National Hunt calendar.
- Impact on Joe Tizzard’s Yard: With Powell sidelined for an estimated six to eight weeks, Tizzard will need to rely on alternative senior jockeys for high-profile weekend assignments. The timing is particularly inconvenient as major targets, including JPR One’s planned run in the Grade Two Haldon Gold Cup at Aintree, are scheduled for later this week.
- Impact on Powell’s Championship Standings: Missing two months of prime autumn and early winter racing will temporarily halt Powell’s strong start in the Jockeys’ Championship. However, if surgery goes smoothly and rehabilitation stays on track, a targeted return around the Christmas Festival period could allow him to regain his position on top Tizzard contenders for the second half of the season.
