Moore's injury absence is a big blow for racing fans

Horse racing

- By JAMES BURN

IT was recently mentioned to this corner from an ex-rider that jockeys don't necessarily have a screw loose, but do enjoy an element of the fear factor.

They are, after all, getting on animals that can weigh more than 500kg and travel more than 40mph, so it’s not for the fainthearted.

Injuries, therefore, are part and parcel of the sport, but it's still easy to understand why the news Ryan Moore will miss an important chunk of the season caused headlines.

In Moore we're dealing with arguably the finest rider on the planet and someone who will go down in racing folklore, but - at the same time - this is a sportsman not sculpted in the mould of the charismatic Frankie Dettori, who shines when a camera lens is focused on him.