On the same day Australian Wallabies and ACT Brumbies star Pat McCabe announced he was retiring from rugby after fracturing his neck for a third time, Ward walked from Sydney's St George Hospital in a neck brace but determined to carry on riding.

Made aware of McCabe's decision to fight back twice from a fractured C1 vertebra, before eventually retiring, Ward was confident of his own recovery after two to three months in a neck brace.

"I think every athlete has that drive within, that's what makes us athletes," Ward said. "At the same time, you've got to respect what doctors are advising you. But the doctors have said I can ride again, it'll just take time to heal.

"Racing is a dangerous sport and unfortunately these things do happen. But most definitely I'll be back."

Ward and Canberra apprentice Carly Frater were part of a three-horse fall at Wagga on Friday. They and jockey Andrew Bloomfield spent Friday night in hospital at Wagga before Ward was flown to Sydney, doctors fearing he may require surgery.

Ward, 41, who has won four jockey premierships in his five years at Canberra, suffered a fractured C2 vertebra. He will not need surgery but will require up to three months in a neck brace.

Ward said it was the worst fall and most scary moment of his 26-year career.

"I think I was pretty lucky that only three of us fell. It could have been more, and there were no life-changing injuries," Ward said.

"I did sit up on the track after the fall, but there was a lot of pain in my neck, back and all over my body, so I just lied on the track.

"I still had feeling in all my limbs, there was no numbness, so I didn't ever think the worst.

"I've broken collarbones, had a broken ankle. I've had some heavy falls where I thought I should have been a lot worse off, but this is my most serious fall.

"It was only pretty terrifying when the doctor said I might need surgery. I've always been fit and healthy and kept out of hospitals, so to hear I might need surgery on my neck was scary.

"But there have been a lot of jockeys who have done their C2 and made a full recovery."

Frater, an apprentice to Canberra trainers Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones, was knocked unconscious for almost three minutes after the fall and broke her collarbone.

Ward rode more than 100 winners in NSW and ACT last season but said after returning to Canberra on Wednesday defending his premiership was not a priority.

"That's the last thing on my mind, but I'm focused about getting back on track," said Ward, who also trains in kick-boxing and long distance running.

"I've been very fortunate. I'm a big believer that the fitter you are the quicker the recovery. I don't want to rush back into it with a neck injury but I'll build my fitness up and make sure I'm 110 per cent fit."