IT should have  been another defining moment in Martin Dwyer’s career last November.

A first Breeders’ Cup success with Dangerous Midge to add to the Scouse jockey’s many big-race victories.

But as Brian Meehan’s progressive middle distance performer powered to glory under Frankie Dettori in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs, there was plenty for the likeable Scouser to regret.

Dwyer had partnered Dangerous Midge to a wide-margin success in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock and had struck up a fine partnership with the son of Lion Heart.

The five-year-old had gone from handicapper to Group winner when landing the Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial at Newbury in September. But three days after that success Dwyer suffered a broken elbow, thumb and other injuries in a horrendous fall from Red Lite at Leicester.

He was off the track for almost five months with the Breeders’ Cup date just one of the late-season contests he was sidelined for.

But today the 35-year-old, who is originally from Whiston, gets the chance to erase the memory when Meehan’s five-year-old bids to give him a second success in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheeba.

He said: “The Breeders’ Cup win was great because it was one for the team, but I was gutted. There I was with my left elbow broken, my right hand broken and I couldn’t even get out of my chair to cheer him home without any help.

“I was unfortunate. I missed the Breeders’ Cup and loads of big races at the end of the season. And I felt terrible at the time. But the only silver lining was I could give it plenty of time to get it right because it was the winter.”

And get it right he has. Since his return to the saddle, he has eased his way back on the all-weather, with two wins from 20 rides. But with the Turf season starting next week, he believes he is in the right shape to have a big season, beginning in the Dubai desert this weekend.

Dwyer added: “I didn’t watch much racing. There isn’t much on over the winter and after the Breeders’ Cup I had a bit of a chill out, spent time with the family and just took it easy. I didn’t really worry about the racing - just concentrating on getting myself fit.

“Fortunately it is great now. But it has taken a lot of work. I broke a moving part, moving bone - it is quite common. I had three operations on it and screws in it. But it is real good now. But it took a lot of work, a lot of physio to get it back.

“I missed him winning the Breeders’ Cup, but it has helped me through the winter something to look forward. I am glad I’m here and in working order.”

Dwyer won the Derby on Sir Percy in 2006, the Oaks on Casual Look three years earlier. And among his many big-race successes around the world was when Phoenix Reach landed the Sheema Classic in 2005.

He believes Dangerous Midge can help him win it again. He said: “We are pretty confident that he must have a great chance and he comes here in good shape. We are happy with him and with a little bit of luck we should be thereabouts.

“It was at Nad Al Sheeba the last time I won. It is good race and it is one of the first big races of the season. It is the first time I have ridden at Meydan. It has only been here two years, and I wasn’t here last year. But it is not too dissimilar to Nad Al Sheeba and is a pretty straightforward track.”

The Flat season starts this week and Dwyer added: “I feel great and look forward to the season. Hopefully we can start off well with Dangerous Midge and get back to the season. We have some nice horses to look forward to. I think Lady Of The Desert could be top sprinter this year.

“She is very talented and we have got some other nice horses to look forward to. So it is onwards and upwards.”