The toughest job in thoroughbred racing

Many times when I talk about the "Sport of Kings", it's about the gallant thoroughbreds who grace us with their presence. But, today it's about the human aspect. The jockeys who ride these magnificent animals. Without the skill of these hundred pound athletes, the thoroughbreds are just like a car without a driver. The credit is never given enough for the men and women who make the sport of kings, what it is. This past week, our sport lost three up and coming stars in the jockey world. Two of the young and finest women jockeys in Australian died in separate racing incidents. Carly-Mae Pye and Catlin Forrest both were killed riding on the Australian circuit this week. While neither were well known here stateside, on Tuesday evening a talented young ride here would become a victim of a horrific accident at Indiana Downs.

Seventeen year old apprentice rider; Juan Saez , brother of Luis Saez who has ridden here on the NYRA circuit was killed in a spill at Indiana Downs. Saez's horse clipped heels and he was thrown from his mount. Gravely injured, he was thought dead from the impact and was revived several times on track before being sent to a never by hospital. Late Tuesday evening, Juan succumbed from his head injuries and was pronounced dead. He was the 153rd jockey since 1940 to be killed in a race in North America. He is the first to lose his life since Jorge Herrera died in July 2012 at Pleasanton in Northern California. The young jockey from Panama started his riding career this past June at Ellis Park in Kentucky. He was the leading rider there for the summer meet and had been turning heads in the sport in just a short time. It was just this past weekend, when a well known and respected racing writer said that Luis Saez could be the top apprentice jockey this year and a future superstar. But in a blink of an eye, that all changed.

It was 29 years and one day to the time that veteran NYRA jockey; Mike Venezia was killed in a race at Belmont Park 1988. I remember the day well. When the race calls were broadcast on WWWD 1240am in Schenectady, the staff announcer from Capital OTB said that the remainder of the Belmont race card was cancelled because jockey Mike Venezia had succumbed from his injuries in the previous race. I was in a state of shock that a jockey had died on the racetrack during a race. It gave me a new perspective on the sport and also showed me how dangerous it could be for jockeys.

Just a few weeks ago, in the Jockey Club Gold Cup there was a similar incident to the one that killed young Juan Saez. Jockey Rajiv Maragh's mount, Wicked Strong clipped heels during the running and he was thrown from the mount. He was very lucky to escape with just a broken arm. But, most time horses going down in tight quarters and the jockey is thrown, the outcome is much worst. This was the case of the young talented Juan Saez. So, next time the horse you played doesn't run well and your upset about your wager and blame the jockey for the ride, think about Juan Saez. Think about all the jockeys who put there life on the line every time they get on a horse. Remember, these little guys on thousand pound animals and what they do. It will give you an new perspective on the sport most people don't think about.