Damian Browne likely to need more surgery

Jockey Damian Browne expects he will need surgery if he is to make a comeback to riding.

Multiple Group One-winning jockey Damian Browne expects he will need surgery on his legs if he is to return to riding.

Browne has been working towards a return after being sidelined with a perforated bowel last month.

He required surgery after an ulcer burst and caused the injury which also affected his kidneys.

Browne said he had since been told by doctors his stomach and kidneys had made a good recovery.

But there is a negative spin-off as the problems were caused by Browne taking anti-inflammatory drugs on an empty stomach.

He has taken the anti-inflammatories for years because of various issues with his legs.

“I went to the specialist on Tuesday and the news wasn’t great about my legs. He is going to do some MRIs to see if surgery will help,” Browne said.

“The main thing is to get me off crutches and then riding again is secondary.”

Browne will have more news on Friday week after further tests but expects surgery will be necessary.

Fellow jockey, former champion Queensland apprentice Tiffani Brooker is getting closer to a return to riding.

Brooker hasn’t ridden in a race since July after problems with a back injury.

She has been back riding limited track work at Caloundra and has been slowly building up her fitness.

Brooker, who has linked with jockey manager Melissa Shield, hopes to be back riding in races by the middle of next month.

She won the metropolitan apprentices’ title in 2016/17.