Panamanian jockey killed on US track
A 17-YEAR-OLD Panamanian jockey was killed on a race track in Indiana on Tuesday, October 14 after falling from a horse.
Juan Sáez was the younger brother of noted jockey Luis Sáez and a graduate of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Riding School in Panama. He had ambitions to rise to the same level as his prize-winning brother.
He was aboard Montezuma Express in the eighth race, when the horse clipped the heels of another horse and fell, throwing Sáez to the ground.
He was airlifted to a nearby hospital, and despite being revived several times, doctors were ultimately unable to save him. Reports La Prensa. “We are mourning the death of Juan Sáez after suffering a dramatic fall yesterday. Peace to his soul,” was the message posted on the Twitter account of Panamanian Institute of Sports Director Roberto Arango.
After the accident, track officials suspended racing for the day.