jockeys

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Jockey With 2K Wins Dies in 'Pedestrian Accident'

Churchill Downs calls Miguel Mena's death 'shocking, terrible, and heartbreaking'

(Newser) - Successful, well-liked jockey Miguel Mena was killed in what police are calling a "pedestrian" accident in Louisville six days before his 35th birthday—and his friends are trying to figure out why. Mena's agent, Tim Hanisch, tells the Louisville Courier-Journal that Mena was on his way home in...

Jockey Thrown After Horse Collapses, Dies on Racetrack

Victor Espinoza was injured but will recover

(Newser) - A famous jockey was injured Sunday after the horse he was riding went into cardiac arrest and died on the racetrack. Victor Espinoza was riding Bobby Abu Dhabi during morning training at California's Del Mar racetrack when the 4-year-old colt fell, dying instantly and throwing Espinoza, who was motionless...

'Legendary' Jockey Dies After Headfirst Fall

Jose Flores was thrown from horse

(Newser) - A renowned jockey who was among the best in Pennsylvania history died Thursday of injuries suffered in a racing accident, the AP reports. Parx Racing announced the death of Jose Flores, 56, who was racing Monday at the suburban Philadelphia track when his horse went down and Flores was thrown...

Jockey Kicked in Face by Horse, Then Luck Gets Even Worse

Ambulance runs over Chris Meehan's leg, breaks it

(Newser) - You might think that, once you've gotten kicked in the face by a horse, nothing worse is likely to happen to you on that particular day. Not so for Northern Irish jockey Chris Meehan, who got a gash on the jaw and a broken nose after falling from his...

Female Jockey Riding for History at Kentucky Derby

Rosie Napravnik aims to become first woman to win

(Newser) - She started out her career disguising her gender, riding under the initials AR Napravnik. In the male-dominated world of horse racing, Anna Rose Napravnik figured she'd have better luck if nobody noticed a woman's name in the track program. Nine years later, Rosie Napravnik is one of the...

Female Jockey Aims for History at Derby

Rosie Napravnik is sixth woman to ride in Kentucky Derby

(Newser) - New Jersey native Rosie Napravnik hopes to make a little history today by becoming the first female jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. She heads into the day with 20-1 odds aboard Pants on Fire, reports the Star-Ledger in a profile. Napravnik, 23, will be the sixth woman to ride...

Derby's Forgotten Legacy: Black Jockeys

They once ruled the sport, until Jim Crow came along

(Newser) - When the Kentucky Derby gets under way today, not one black jockey will be in the race. Which isn't exactly news. But consider this: For the first Derby, in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys were black. In fact, black jockeys—the first were slaves—thoroughly dominated the sport through...

UK Man Busted in Teen Jockeys' Arson Deaths

Man held in tragedy that shocked the racing world

(Newser) - British police investigating the deaths of two promising young jockeys in a fire have arrested a man on suspicion of arson. Irish jockey Jamie Kyne, 18, died along with Jan Wilson, a Scottish 19-year-old, when fire ripped through an apartment complex housing young riders in September, the Independent reports.

Teenage Brit Jockeys Killed in Arson

Police have arrested suspected arsonist in his 30s

(Newser) - Two promising apprentice jockeys were killed yesterday in a suspected arson fire set at their apartment building in northern England. "Apprentice of the season" Jamie Kyne, 18, was found dead along with female jockey Jan Wilson, 19, in Kyne's apartment where several riders had gathered for a party. Two...

Crazy Colt Triggers Churchill Downs Tragedy

Filly slammed by runaway at Churchhill Downs dies from shock

(Newser) - A colt who went bonkers during a workout at Churchill Downs threw his jockey then slammed into a filly who had to be put down because of her injuries, reports Horse and Hound. Several hopefuls for the upcoming Kentucky Derby were on the track, but none was injured. "The...

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