Michael Martinez, 24-Year-Old Jockey, Paralyzed After Horrible Fall

Michael Martinez, a 24-year-old Jockey, has been paralyzed from the waist down after a horrible fall during a Sunday race at Golden Gate Fields.

He remained at Oakland's Highland Hospital on Tuesday night and was in critical but stable condition. According to track physician Dr. David Seftel, the fall severed Martinez's spinal cord, the AP reports.

Martinez was riding a 3-year-old filly named Fair 'n Warmer in the fifth race. While rounding a turn, his horse hit another horse and Martinez was thrown onto the ground and the filly fell on him.

The collision required 11 hours of emergency surgery on Sunday night.

Martinez is ranked No. 13 in the United States with 168 victories.

Comments

[Dave Budke]

05:47 PM on 09/16/2010

This is so tragic and making it a political thing is ridiculous. But if people want to go there, let's not forget the PETA people who strong-armed racing to put in that terrible poly-surface to "protect" the horses and jockeys. It's been nothing but a disaster. 5 jockeys went down and more horses are getting hurt because of it. In fact Santa Anita is going back to dirt because of it.

[Coydog34]

07:55 AM on 09/16/2010

Jockeys know the risk.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

12:46 AM on 09/16/2010

And this, from the KTVU link:

"His fiancee, Charlotte Garcia, is expecting the couple's first child at some point this week, Seftel said."

[AngryHarpy]

09:37 PM on 09/15/2010

Horrible. I live not too far from where Christopher Reeve was riding when he was paralyzed and I can't pass through that town without thinking of him. I wish Michael Martinez the best and that he eventually may fully recover.

[iam7545 r]

06:21 PM on 09/15/2010

OMG - Prayers for a complete healing

[Prousa]

05:55 PM on 09/15/2010

Most dangerous sport.

[RACVC]

05:30 PM on 09/16/2010

You are so correct.

[alysheba 3]

05:46 PM on 09/15/2010

My wishes and prayers to him, and his family.

[mamala4]

05:08 PM on 09/15/2010

So sad....wishing him well.

[DandaPanda]

04:59 PM on 09/15/2010

so sad...I love horses i hate racing..dangerous to both man and horse.

[claudiam]

03:14 PM on 09/15/2010

I wish him well. claudiatucsonaz

[Eagle Bill]

11:41 PM on 09/15/2010

Jockeys are the most courageous athletes in all of sports. May he live to when a cure is found for paralysis. I think it will be soon.

[kapalabhati]

01:04 PM on 09/16/2010

Not if the Republicans, the Talibangelicals, and the Catholic Church have their way.