Larrikin Thomas Doyle lives to tell the story of sickening Darwin fall that left him with multiple brain bleeds

Thomas Doyle is famous for his famous flying mullet, but he will be grounded in Darwin for the foreseeable future after suffering another severe concussion and multiple bleeds on the brain in a serious fall earlier this month.

Larrikin jockey Thomas Doyle and his famous mullet. Picture: Rob Burnett Photography

Larrikin jockey Thomas Doyle admits he is lucky to be around to tell the story of his sickening fall at Darwin earlier this month — even if he can’t remember any of it.

The jockey renowned for his famous flame-coloured mullet suffered a severe concussion and bleeding on the brain when he came off Aplomado on July 13, but says he isn’t kicking stones about the incident.

Usually based in Victoria, Doyle decided to ride in Darwin in the lead-up to the famous Darwin Cup meeting and now finds himself stuck in the Top End as he recovers from yet another serious knock to the head.

He now faces at least three months on the sidelines as he deals with concussion symptoms and says he still loves the sport of racing, but won’t be pushing his return ahead of time due to the serious nature of his injuries.

Thomas Doyle will be out of racing for several months. Picture: Brett Holburt — Racing Photos via Getty Images.

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“They said I was lucky not to have more injuries, I had the bad concussion, which they rated as severe again, then there were two bleeds on the brain,” Doyle told Racenet.

“There is the usual stuff that people carry on about, having a sore neck and whiplash and all that, but in terms of actual injuries, there are no fractures, just concussion symptoms.

“It is a time thing really, it is one of those things where sitting around isn’t going to fix it, you have to rest but can’t do nothing.

“I was living in the caravan park but one of the trainers has set me in a room in their unit, so I am bit more comfortable and have aircon which is good for my head.

“As soon as I wake up, I force myself to get up and walk my dog to the racecourse and put myself around people.

“I’m not much good to do anything, but I like watching the trackwork.

“I’m smart enough to know that I’m going to have to wait a bit longer than usual to come back this time, I still love racing.

“It’s not about being tough this time, it’s a matter of not being able to afford something to happen again.”

After suffering another fall in March this year, Doyle has been told to stand down from riding for a prolonged period to allow his brain to heal.

While he lived to tell the tale of the fall, he laughs he could do with being told what happened, because he simply cannot remember.

Larrikin jockey Thomas Doyle became famous after winning the Miners Rest Cup. Picture: Rob Burnett Photography.

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“I can’t remember a thing,” he said.

“I remember winning on Kerioth (earlier in the day) and I remember the two rides I had after that, it is hazy but, then I remember waking up in hospital.

“It is three to four months before I will be riding anything.

“The time frames between my concussions are too close, so that’s why I need the break.

“For now I am staying in Darwin, I drove up here and brought my dog with me, so it is hard to get back home.

“It is hard to fly pets around because it costs a fortune.

“The weather is a lot better up here, so it is a good time to be resting and healing.

“I know all the horses and trainers up here, and the carnival is still going on, so I have been following it closely and there is plenty to keep me busy.”

Originally published as Larrikin Thomas Doyle lives to tell the story of sickening Darwin fall that left him with multiple brain bleeds