RICHARD Hughes will not require surgery despite fracturing in a vertebrae in a nasty fall at Meydan on Saturday.

The Wiltshire-based champion jockey was partnering the Mike de Kock-trained Mars in the Dubai Sheema Classic when his mount crashed through the far rail after running just a couple of furlongs, throwing Hughes over the top as he tried to pull him up.

Mars reportedly suffered a heart attack in the incident.

Hughes' wife, Lizzie, said on Twitter: "Richard has a stable fracture of one vertebrae, no pain at all, just rest needed and no surgery needed #lucky."