Jockey Barry Geraghty faces a lengthy layoff after fracturing vertebrae in a fall at Galway on Saturday.

Geraghty (19), has been transferred to Merlin Park, the orthopaedic wing of the University Hospital in Galway, with a fractured Thorassic vertebrae.

"It's a serious injury. Barry also fractured vertebrae 11 months ago and will spend a week in Galway, where he will be put in full plaster," Dr Walter Halley, the Turf Club medical officer, said yesterday.