Veteran jockey Luke Nolen is nearing a return to trackwork riding after a lengthy break due to a serious knee injury.
The 45-year-old, who boasts over 40 Group 1 wins, has been sidelined since a fall at Geelong in December 2024 that left him with broken ribs, facial injuries and a ruptured ACL.
His manager Mathew Alesci confirmed on Monday that Nolen is targeting a return to race riding early in the new season.
“He’s not far away and he’s been out for quite a while as he had an ACL medial rupture,” Alesci told racing.com.
“He looks like he’ll be back at trackwork soon—I’d say in the next few weeks—and if all goes well, the plan is to be back riding sometime in August.”
Alesci said the knee had been the major hurdle.
“The other injuries cleared up after a few months, but the knee’s tricky for a jockey… that’s taken extra time.”
“The plan is to be up and running for the spring.”