Huge Graham Lee update with injured jockey ‘talking to family’ as recovery from horrific fall continues

GRAHAM LEE's family have issued an update on his condition following his horror fall.

The Irishman suffered damage to his spinal cord after being unseated from Graham Macudi as the stalls opened at Newcastle Racecourse last Friday.

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Former Grand National winner Lee was taken to intensive care at Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital in Newcastle before undergoing surgery.

And the 47-year-old is slowly but surely showing promising signs of a recovery, intermittently speaking to his loved ones.

A family statement read: “Graham has made positive progress in the last 24 hours and has been able to talk normally with his family for short periods when his ventilator is turned down.

"He has been reviewed by his Spinal Consultant and when a bed becomes available in the ITU at James Cook Hospital, Middlesborough, he will be transferred closer to home.

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"Graham and his family want to thank everyone for their continued and overwhelming support.”

Lee's daughter Amy has set up a for the Injured Jockeys Fund following her father's fall.

And as of Friday afternoon, it's raised nearly £125,000 for the charity.

Amy said: "To be honest it's simply overwhelming and we can't believe that so many people are thinking of us.

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"I wish I could explain how much of a difference it will make to dad's recovery knowing that he has your support - thank you from the bottom of my heart.'"

Racing icon AP McCoy played a huge role in Amy being by her dad's bedside, driving her up to Newcastle in the middle of the night.

Trainer Gary Moore told SunSport: "It's no surprise given how selfless he is, but AP McCoy went to pick up Graham's daughter Amy at 3am so she could be with him.

"Graham is a great lad and it was awful to hear the extent of the injuries he's suffered.

"He's a gent and I remember him riding a winner for me when I sent one up North to Redcar a few years ago.

"I'm sending all my best wishes to the family and I really hope to see him make a full recovery.

"My son Josh suffered awful injuries in a fall last year and I know all too well what his family are going through at the moment."

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