Sobering perspective on being a jockey

[Barnfairy]

The first four stories in the Blood Horse headlines at current:

Rider dies at Blue Ribbon Downs (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/53041/rider-dies-at-blue-ribbon-downs) A rider at Blue Ribbon Downs died Oct. 18 after he fell from a horse during the first race at the Sallisaw, Okla., track...

Kaenel Retires from Race Riding (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/53033/kaenel-retires-from-race-riding) Jockey Kyle Kaenel has retired due to extensive injuries the 21-year-old Oceanside, N.Y., native suffered in a riding spill at Fairplex Park in Southern California Sept. 27...

Jockey Escobar out 4-6 weeks (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/53032/jockey-escobar-out-4-6-weeks) Jockey Martin Escobar was injured following the last race Oct. 17 at Remington Park in Oklahoma when his mount, Cuvee Blanc, fell just past the finish line...

Albarado Off Oct 18 Mounts at Keeneland (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/53025/albarado-off-oct-18-mounts-at-keeneland) Robby Albarado, leading rider at the Keeneland fall meet in Central Kentucky with 10 victories, was off all of his mounts Oct. 18 after a spill in Oct. 17’s sixth race...

Yikes.

[Glimmerglass]

And also at Keeneland yesterday (Oct 18) Miguel Mena (http://www.keeneland.com/Lists/News/dispform.aspx?ID=6196) Unseated, Sent For Precautionary X-Rays. Mena suffered soft tissue injury to his neck and left thigh but was described as “awake and alert,” by Keeneland medical personel.

[Flypony]

Not suprised you haven't got much of a response on a thread about everday riders who work as hard or harder than any of the superstars. But start another one about a tatoo lookup or how some one "rescued" a horse from the track and you'll get 2 pages of responses:rolleyes:. Wishing a speedy recovery for the injured riders.

[Barnfairy]

Yes, hoping full recoveries for the injured, and condolences to the family and friends of Mark Pace.

But hey now, those identity seekers are potential fans. Maybe it's just me, but I'd rather they walk away thinking "those folks on the racing forum are so helpful" not "racing people are rude."

[Larksmom]

Did anyone here actually see the fall he had Saturday? I was watching, but didn't see him come off. Tom Durkin sounded like it was a terrible fall, as did the commentators on tv, but he got up, and after one race, he was back up and at 'em.

[Equilibrium]

When a horse is injured people flock from the other sections to usually say something nasty about racing, that's part of the reason for the length.

Also, I think sometimes we know what could possibly happen when we set out to be a jockey - you make that decision for yourself.

At any rate, it was a pretty sobering week. My condolences to the family of the jocky from BRD, and a speedy recovery for the other lads.

Terri

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Jockey died in France on Sunday too.

The French racing community was in shock yesterday following the news that highly promising jump jockey Guillaume Javoy had died after a horrific fall at Le Pin-au-Haras on Sunday.

The 24-year-old had replaced another jockey on chance ride Kahyasia in the opening race of the meeting at the Normandy track, near the town of Argentan.

Another horse tried to run out just before a hurdle about five furlongs into the race, forcing Kahyasia to put on the brakes in a violent manner.

After being thrown on to the running rail, Javoy was taken by helicopter to a hospital at Alencon after the racecourse medical team realised the serious nature of his injuries. He was then transferred to a hospital in Caen.

Javoy, who is attached to the powerful Francois Cottin stable, had 16 winners to his name this season.

"Guillaume was a very pleasant young man and a true professional," said Cottin. "He had been with me since the beginning of his career, which was far too short. I am devastated."

[Calico]

They were both replacement jockeys, too. :(

[Acertainsmile]

Very sobering indeed, but also something I think about all the time. Thanks for posting this, I havent been following Kyle much, knew his dad when he was just a kid, his sister Jill and Kyle when he was a tot. Glad to see he will recover. Prayers for the rest too.

[GallopGirl]

Acertainsmile, Kyle's been riding a lot at Golden Gate during the regular racing season. His wife, Trinity, is Russel Baze's daughter. It has to be so hard to be part of a racing family, but not being able to actually ride anymore. I wonder if as he recovers he might change his mind. I wish them all a speedy road to recovery.

[Glimmerglass]

I wonder if as he recovers he might change his mind. I wish them all a speedy road to recovery.

I'd think if there is any self doubt and/or questioning in regards to desire or worse fear then get off and never look back. Just my view but ride with the slighest doubt and you're not productive and a potential danger to all ....

[Barnfairy]

TVG just did a phone interview with Kyle Kaenel. He says he's been doing some bloodstock and sales work, plans on staying in So. Cal, and has an interest in a little broadcasting (a smart thing to say while on the air with TVG ;) ). Sounded very upbeat.

[DeeThbd]

I'd think if there is any self doubt and/or questioning in regards to desire or worse fear then get off and never look back. Just my view but ride with the slighest doubt and you're not productive and a potential danger to all ....

The thing is, how does a rider transition to another career when he/she has devoted his/her health, youth, and likely educational opporutnities to the sport? It seems that a lot of riders come into the sport quite young, and opt out of training or education in favour of a career as a rider. There are many exceptions of course, but for the riders who DO take path A....there are only so many valets and agents needed. It is very difficult for anyone to change career paths radically, so I think that a lot of riders try to eke out a living galloping or breaking babies on farms, but facing a lot less income and the same risks. Some riders know no other life, and walking away from it seems impossible for them.
Dee

[Glimmerglass]

The thing is, how does a rider transition to another career when he/she has devoted his/her health, youth, and likely educational opporutnities to the sport?

Valid question. However it isn't just applicable to jocks. Anyone who has found themselves 10-years into any career or with any one single firm faces the same rub when looking to make a change. Work too many years in one field you are effectively pigeonholed into that segment - no matter how much you may crave something else.

[summerhorse]

The thing is, how does a rider transition to another career when he/she has devoted his/her health, youth, and likely educational opporutnities to the sport? It seems that a lot of riders come into the sport quite young, and opt out of training or education in favour of a career as a rider. There are many exceptions of course, but for the riders who DO take path A....there are only so many valets and agents needed. It is very difficult for anyone to change career paths radically, so I think that a lot of riders try to eke out a living galloping or breaking babies on farms, but facing a lot less income and the same risks. Some riders know no other life, and walking away from it seems impossible for them.
Dee

That's something a lot of us are facing when we took jobs we expected to retire from and found ourselves on the lay off lists. It is especially hard when you have a very specialized job. At least most of the jocks that retire are still young enough for the most part to go back to school and learn something else or if they are older they've probably absorbed enough to find another career with horses (IF they even want one). When you are 50ish and let go they won't touch you with a 10' pole, doesn't matter if you need 15 or 20 more YEARS to get to retirement age.

Every rider risks their life when they get on a horse. People choose to do so anyway. The horses have no choice.

[Mach Two]

I feel for the jockeys and wish them speedy recovery, however, lest someone begin thinking (from the "outside world") that this has just been a bad week, accidents happen all the time in racing, and much as anyone hates for accidents to happen to them, every person who chooses riding race horses as a career is aware of the risk percentages. The percentages are MUCH higher, of course, in steeplechasing, about 1 fall per maybe 15-20 starts. Hate it for them, too. But they also accept the risks daily.

[Barnfairy]

The beginning of today's opinion piece by Blood Horse editor-in-chief Dan Liebman (http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/wgoh/archive/2009/10/20/chilling-spills-by-dan-liebman.aspx) has a familiar ring to it.

[Glimmerglass]

The highs and lows in one single day appear to be the unfortunate reality of this profession.

Friday (Oct 30) at Aqueduct I'm watching on TVG jockey Amanda Casey score a massive upset in the 4th race with Wynot Siyue taking the win convincingly at 48-1! Then in the next race she finished a very close 3rd. So how does she end up the day? Going to the hospital where she'll be there for at least a week with a bruised liver (http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/10/31/sports/doc4aebae48d534c289082160.txt) from a feak non-racing incident :(

Jockey Amanda Casey, a South Glens Falls native, rode her first winner of the meet at Aqueduct on Friday but was later taken to the hospital after being injured in the paddock.

Casey's mount for the day's ninth and final race, Karakorum Jete, kicked her in the paddock prior to the race, catching her in the ribs on the right side of her body. Jockeys wear flak jackets during a race that help protect them in the event of a fall; in this case, the jacket somewhat softened the blow, but Casey complained of pain in the area.

In just 7 mounts at the Big A she was doing well with a record of 1-1-2

[Jessi P]

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/53217/jockey-brimo-in-critical-condition

(From Keeneland)

Jockey Julia Brimo, who suffered injuries when her mount, Golden Stride, clipped heels and fell during the first race at Keeneland Oct. 30, has been listed in “critical” condition by the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

A native of Ontario, Canada, Brimo won the Sovereign Award as the top apprentice jockey in Canada for 2003, when she rode 75 winners.

At Keeneland, Brimo had ridden in two previous races during the fall meeting prior to the start of the day's racing.

More details will follow as they become available.

[Vitriolic]

Any updates on Julia? I read somewhere that she was updated to stable, but with no details. I hope to hear good news on this terrible accident.

[Glimmerglass]

Any updates on Julia? I read somewhere that she was updated to stable, but with no details. I hope to hear good news on this terrible accident.

This was the last published update: Louisville Courier-Journal Nov 1, 2009 (http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20091101/SPORTS08/911010353/1002/sports/Jockey+who+fell+at+Keeneland+still+in+critical+con dition)

Jockey Julia Brimo remained in critical condition at Lexington's University of Kentucky Hospital on Sunday night as she continued to recover from injuries suffered in a Friday spill at Keeneland.

Brimo's sister, Alicia, said Friday that Brimo suffered a concussion and at least one cracked vertebra.

No fresh news on the other injured jockey from the paddock incident Amanda Casey (http://www.drf.com/news/article/108585.html):

Apprentice jockey Amanda Casey remained in the intensive care unit of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., Saturday morning with internal bleeding and a bruised liver, according to her agent.

Earlier in the day, Casey had recorded her first win from 27 mounts since returning from a shoulder injury that forced her to miss three months.

"Right now, she's in intensive care so they can watch her closely from there," said Joe Ceraulo, who took over Casey's book on Oct. 5. "They said the recovery should take about a month, but jockeys - especially female jockeys - they tend to come back a little quicker. I just want her to get out of the woods with the bleeding."

Hoping both recover soon!

[Glimmerglass]

Writer Claire Novak wrote a nice column on another injured young rider from late summer in today's Times Union (NY) 11-3-09: "Mike Straight struggles to recover from injuries" (http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=860973&category=SPORTS).

A lot of folks in the Upstate NY community not terribly far from Saratoga have come together to help the family out. Still it would appear that the financial challenges and demands with his care, et al are prompting his parents to sell their home and relocate to be with him.

excerpt

Mike was moved Oct. 13 from Luther General Hospital (where he had undergone surgery to install a flexible rod in his spine) to the Rehab Institute of Chicago. There, without feeling in his lower extremities, he's undergoing the next phase of a lengthy recovery process. No one knows how long it will take, or what the outcome will be, but they are encouraged by the progress he's made thus far.

[Glimmerglass]

From 11/9/09 DRF (http://drf.com/news/article/108844.html): Aid fund set up for Brimo rehabilitation

Surgery last week on Brimo's fourth and fifth vertebrae went well, Werner said, and Brimo is off a respirator and can speak with visitors as she recovers in the intensive care unit at University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

Werner said Brimo has movement in her extremities.

Contributions can be made at any Fifth Third Bank, with donations payable to the Julia Brimo Fund.

[Glimmerglass]

Garrett Gomez released from the hospital Saturday 11/21 (http://www.drf.com/news/article/109086.html) after a spill at Hollywood Park the same day.

Gomez was thrown forward from Bonnie Brown Eyes and wound up under the inner rail. He remained there until being removed from the track on a stretcher. He was taken straight to Centinela Hospital.

Bonnie Brown Eyes, trained by Mike Mitchell, was making her second lifetime start, both in maiden-claiming races. She had set the pace and tired to finish ninth in her debut. On Saturday, she appeared to be drawing away from the field when she badly broke down in her right front leg. She fell straight to the ground, hit her neck, fracturing it, and died instantly.

As for Julie Brimo - as of Nov 20th (http://www.drf.com/news/article/109070.html):

Brimo, 33, is being treated at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto and is scheduled to be transferred early this week to the Lyndhurst Centre, a noted rehabilitation facility, also in Toronto. According to a close friend of Brimo's, she is now walking with assistance, continues to make steady improvement, and her long-term outlook is positive.

Jockeys across North America are being asked to donate one mount fee next Saturday (Nov 28th) to the Julia Brimo Fund.

[EquineRacers]

Oh yea, that is nothing. I can't even begin to list the riders who have gotten seriously injuried, paralized, or even passed away. Its sadly, part of the job, but we do it because we love it!