A young Cumbrian jockey is celebrating her first winner – after recovering from a broken back.

Elizabeth Gale, from Penrith, underwent major surgery after crushing two vertebrae in a fall in April last year.

The 21-year-old found herself temporarily unable to move and had to have metalwork inserted into her back to support her recovery.

She completed a rigorous rehabilitation programme during ten months on the sidelines – and capped her recovery by riding a winner at Exeter last week.

It was a double celebration for Gale, with the win on Langley Hundred coming just two days before her 21st birthday.

And Gale and Langley Hundred swiftly followed up the victory with another the following day at Ludlow.

She returned to the saddle in February and spoke of her joy at her victory at Exeter in the RGB Building Supplies Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything like that before,” she said.

“It is such a relief as I’ve been riding for a bit now and that is my first winner, so I’m delighted.”

Gale, who works for Somerset-based trainer Philip Hobbs, spoke further about the injury.

She said: “It was Covid during my first ever season there, so every time I kind of got going I didn’t because of Covid – and then just as I started to get going again I broke my back, crushed two vertebrae.

News and Star: Gale won at Exeter on board Langley HundredGale won at Exeter on board Langley Hundred (Image: Jockey Club)

“That put me out for a year and so I’ve never really had a bit of momentum behind me so that hopefully should be an upward curve from here onwards.”

The incident happened when Gale was 19 and saw her spend five days in hospital, where supporting rods were inserted into her back after fractures to her T5 and T4 vertebrae.

She then spent time at the Injured Jockeys Fund-operated Jack Berry House in North Yorkshire for her rehabilitation.

Among those watching at Exeter was her proud mum Kelly.

She said: “I can’t believe it has happened. I’m absolutely delighted as we have waited 12 years for this.

“She started when she was nine with pony racing and has ridden in points but she has never had a winner in either of those, so this is her first winner. It was worth the wait.

“I was sick about an hour before the race. I grabbed her aunty Joanne near the closing stages, and I almost grabbed the man next to me as well!

“This is all down to her boss though as he looks after her well. We will make sure we celebrate her birthday with plenty of champagne.”