Graham Lee: Jockey 'recovering well' from surgery but long-term outlook 'remains uncertain'

Graham Lee won the Grand National in 2004 with Amberleigh House

Former Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee has had surgery after damaging his spinal cord in a fall.

The 47-year-old was injured at Newcastle Racecourse on Friday.

Lee was unseated from his mount Ben Macdui as the stalls opened and taken to intensive care at Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital in Newcastle.

The Injured Jockeys' Fund (IJF) said Lee "has recovered from the surgery well" but his long-term prognosis "remains uncertain".

The IJF added in a statement: "Jockey Graham Lee had surgery yesterday at the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital in Newcastle to stabilise the fractures in his cervical spine and further protect his spinal cord.

"He also had a tracheostomy performed to allow him to be more comfortable and improve communication."

Lee's daughter Amy set up a fundraising page that has received more than £80,000 from an initial £100 target.

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

"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.'"

Galway-born Lee rode more than 1,000 winners over the jumps, including Amberleigh House for trainer Ginger McCain in the 2004 Grand National.

He switched to riding on the Flat in 2012 and won the Gold Cup at Ascot three years later with Trip To Paris.