Monday 8 June 2015 15:19, UK
Former Grand National-winning jockey Bob Champion feels Brian Toomey's "strength of character" will be a crucial requirement in his astonishing comeback from life-threatening injuries.
Toomey, 26, was on Monday issued with a jumps jockeys' licence after a 704-day absence since he suffered a frightful fall from Solway Dandy at Perth on July 4, 2013.
The jockey was placed in an induced coma in the high dependency unit of Ninewells Hospital, in Dundee, for two weeks, and had surgery to reduce swelling on his brain, including the removal of part of his skull.
He remained in hospital for 157 nights, but has now fulfilled every criteria needed to return to the saddle.
Champion is better placed than most to offer comment on Toomey's remarkable journey.
In July 1979, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 31 and nearly died during treatment.
Champion survived the brutal program of chemotherapy, with his rehabilitation gloriously completed when he partnered Aldaniti to victory in the 1981 Grand National at Aintree, which was famously relived in the film 'Champions' which featured John Hurt in the lead role.
"It's a wonderful story that Brian is back," Champion told Press Association Sport.
"Brian has done really, really well to get back to where he is and I wish him all the luck in the world.
"The medics must feel he is ready to come back and that can only be good news.
"I was sat with him one day at Sedgefield and the first thing you noticed was that he was so determined to come back. That determination will be very important.
"I admire him greatly for his strength of character, as, without that, you've got no chance."
Champion is confident Toomey will make a seamless transition into the cut-and-thrust world of competitive racing, but believes the rider must try to hit the ground running.
He said: "Brian needs luck, and lots of it, but I'm sure a lot of people will be trying to give him chances to get back into the swing of things.
"Racing is a very fickle sport, though, and you can easily be forgotten, so he probably needs to come back with a couple of quick winners.
"It's going to be hard work for him, starting from the beginning again, but I hope he gets the opportunities to show how good a jockey he is."
