SHELBYVILLE, In.– A jockey was killed following an incident at the Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Indiana on Tuesday.
Officials with the Shelbyville Fire Department say they were called to the scene at 5:40 p.m. on a report of an injured jockey.
WXIX reports that preliminary investigation by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission’s Board of Stewards indicated jockey Juan Saez’ horse, Montezuma Express, clipped heels with the horse in front of him, causing him to fall. A trailing horse was unable to avoid the incident and also fell.
Saez, a 17-year-old apprentice rider from Panama, was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in critical condition, and his horse was euthanized.
Saez was pronounced dead at Methodist just before 11 p.m.
No other riders were injured.
In a separate incident, another horse, Platitude, fell and was also euthanized. Officials believe the two incidents were not related.
Due to the incident, the decision was made the cancel the ninth and final race.
