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

Top Jockey Paralyzed After Terrible 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.

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