2025 JJ Atkins-winning jockey Martin Harley recalls ‘dark days' when he feared neck injury would end his career
In January 2023, the popular Irishman suffered multiple fractures to his neck in a sickening fall during a midweek race.
Fast-forward to the Queensland Winter Carnival, and the 35-year-old hoop broke a 10-year Group 1 drought to take out the JJ Atkins (1600m) on Champion Two Year Old of the season contender Cool Archie at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Chris and Corey Munce -trained colt capped an incredible season with his fifth straight victory in a sensational campaign that began with a maiden win at Doomben in mid-April and ended with a major win on Stradbroke Handicap Day.
Harley has taken a short break from riding to visit his family in Ireland and watch the races at famous racetrack Royal Ascot in England this week as a spectator.
But his frightening fall in 2023 left him wondering whether he'd even be able to walk again, let alone make a comeback to riding – particularly given he was forced to wear a neck halo for several weeks during a long stint on the sidelines.
'Certainly there were dark days during that four-and-a-half month period,' he told Racenet.
"I'm glad to get back on that Group 1 board."
Martin Harley gets his first Group 1 win on Australian soil! pic.twitter.com/U0Rd3YSXoo
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 14, 2025
'I think the big key was that I never had any operations during that period and it was all natural healing.
'Everything went back for scans and the healing was going in the right direction.
'That was a big boost for me to even make a comeback. I didn't know if I even wanted to get back on a horse.
'When I had my first winner in my comeback – Sunfall for Barry Lockwood at Doomben (in May 2023) – I'll never forget it.
'I wasn't meant to give it up just yet and I got a big thrill out of my first winner back from the injury and to now ride a Group 1 winner (on Cool Archie), that's very special.
'He wears his heart on his sleeve. He's just the whole package and he can do it all.'
Cool Archie WINS the G1 J.J. Atkins! � @munceracing pic.twitter.com/X0oBUWkZB0
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025
•
The well-travelled Harley has now won six majors since 2012 – three in France and one each in Ireland, England and Australia.
Asked where the JJ Atkins victory rated among his six Group 1s, the 35-year-old said: 'It's hard to split them.
'When I came out of my apprenticeship, my first Group 1 winner back in Ireland (in 2012 in the Irish 1,000 Guineas) for Mick Channon on Samitar was very special.
'Going back to my homeland to ride a Group 1 winner was unbelievable and then a Royal Ascot winner with Goldream (in 2015).
'One thing I will say, this (the JJ Atkins) is up there with the best.'
JJ Atkins-winning jockey Martin Harley celebrating in style ✈� �
Via Instagram / djzoro27 https://t.co/AQCX7wbDNk pic.twitter.com/pMu68bGS2N
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 14, 2025
Chris Munce, who will fly out to England on Sunday night with son Corey and Cool Archie's owner Max Whitby to also attend the Royal Ascot Carnival, praised Harley's ability to stay composed under pressure.
'He's very confident in his opinion and he backs himself, which is something I like,' Munce told Radio TAB on Sunday.
'He rarely gets it wrong and he's calm under pressure in the bigger races.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia
As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday. As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday. As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday.
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Dewald and dew a potential Aussie headache in ODIs
The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow." The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow." The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow."
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Perth Now
Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia
As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday.
