LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Brian Hernandez Jr., the veteran jockey who captured the 2024 Kentucky Derby aboard Mystik Dan, is sore but recovering at UofL Hospital after a spill during Sunday's third race at Churchill Downs.
Hernandez was thrown when his mount, Sgt. Garcia, suffered an apparent injury approaching the far turn in a $30,000 maiden claiming race for 2-year-olds. The colt, trained by Kenny McPeek, was taken off the track by equine ambulance. Hernandez, 39, was transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
His wife, Jamie Hernandez, shared Sunday night that the rider was in intensive care being treated for seven broken ribs, a punctured lung and a lacerated liver that required a procedure to stop internal bleeding. She asked for prayers and support, saying the family remains hopeful as doctors monitor additional complications.
On Monday afternoon, McPeek posted an update via social media that Hernandez is "on the road to recovery" but will have surgery Tuesday morning to treat three displaced ribs.
In a text exchange with Jamie Hernandez, posted with permission, she said Hernandez, "had a great morning. (Doctors) got him up for an hour. It made him pretty weak. ... All in all good. Liver is good. The bleeding is controlled. First week going to be rough. When they remove the chest tube think will be better."
Hernandez spoke with veteran turf writer Bill Finley of the racing publication Thoroughbred Daily News on Monday afternoon. Hernandez told Finley at one point in the back on the ambulance he was thinking he didn't ever want to ride again, and a few moments later was thinking, "when can I get back?"
"I am sore, of course,” Hernandez said. “I'm just laying in the hospital bed now. They did a little small surgery on my liver last night, but we still have the seven broken ribs. They're going to do a surgery on the ribs [Tuesday] and, hopefully, that will be something that will get me going in the right direction. The doctors are saying between six and eight weeks. We'll know more here in the next few days.”
The injury comes at a high-profile moment in Hernandez's career. He was scheduled to ride Mystik Dan again this week in the Grade 2 Lukas Classic at Churchill and is also the regular rider for Kentucky Oaks winner and Horse of the Year contender Thorpedo Anna, who is being pointed to the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland.
The Louisiana native has been one of the sport's most consistent and respected figures, earning more than $20 million in purses last year and ranking among the nation's top riders again this season.
"Jockey life isn't for the faint of heart," Jamie Hernandez posted on Sunday. "Physically and mentally draining. Hug your loved ones tight. Please say extra prayers for Brian."
McPeek also posted that, prior to Hernandez's injury, he had reached an agreement with Elkwood Reserve, a bourbon bottled in Woodford County, where Thorpedo Anna was born, to produce a special bottle commemorating the 2024 Horse of the Year.
McPeek said proceeds from sales of that bottle will go to benefit Hernandez, and the Permanently Disabled Jockey's Fund.
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