Jockey Stella is on the road to recovery at CUH

By BRIAN MOORE

THE Horse Racing Community across the country have joined locals and community groups to help support Stella McGrath, who fell from her horse at the Glenbane point-to-point last November.

Stella (23) suffered serious head injuries and was rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where she remains under care. 

‘Stella has made big improvements over the past few weeks,’ Katie Dullea, a friend who set up a GoFundMe page to support Stella and her family, told The Southern Star.

 ‘Stella is now breathing on her own and is eating by herself. She is a fighter and I have no doubt that she will be able to tackle anything that’s thrown at her.’

Stella has been moved out of the high dependency ward at CUH, a move which has come as a great relief for her family.

‘She is improving, but very slowly. We don’t know yet what the extent of Stella’s injuries will be and it is because of this that we have set up the GoFundMe page. While funds have come in from across the country as people, clubs and communities fundraise for Stella we will be forever grateful for this support,’ Katie continued.

The local Ballinadee Hunt raised €10,000 for Stella at their New Year’s Day hunt. A day, which saw 178 riders, the largest number of horses ever seen in the village, gather in support of Stella. ‘We want to thank everybody for all their best wishes, cards and the support that has been lodged with the GoFundMe appeal for Stella. We are currently looking at providing whatever we can to help Stella with her recovery, support her mother and see what needs to be done so that Stella has a future to look forward to. In fact, I believe one of the first questions Stella asked her mother was when could she get back to the horses,’ Katie said.

To support Stella in her recovery, log onto GoFundMe/HelpStella!