GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Multiple jockeys were injured and three horses died as a result of what officials called a “freak accident” in the final race at Grand Island’s Fonner Park on Sunday.
According to Fonner Park, as the field of eight fillies and mares raced into the far turn, the No. 3 horse, Dial Uncle Joey, clipped heels and ran up onto the heels of the No. 4 horse racing directly in front of her. This caused Dial Uncle Joey to fall, along with her jockey, Ricardo Martinez. The fall caused the No. 5 horse, Spry Charlie, to fall with her jockey, John Jude, and the No. 8 horse, JPs Harley Glider, to fall with jockey Bryan McNeil.
As the race continued, Spry Charlie got up and began to run riderless in the opposite direction on the racetrack. As the race was almost finished, outrider Bo Butler was on his patrol horse near the first turn and was able to catch Spry Charlie as she approached the oncoming field of racehorses at the race completion.
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As Butler gathered up Spry Charlie, the field of horses raced by Butler after the finish.
JPs Harley Glider, who got up after she fell in the far turn, ran riderless behind the field of horses in front of her. Just as she passed this finish line, she collided at near full speed with Bo Butler on his horse as he was containing Spry Charlie.
Bo Butler’s horse was euthanized on the track as a result of the incident, as was JPs Harley Glider.
Ricardo Martinez’s mount, Dial Uncle Joey, died on the racetrack from what officials believe was a broken neck caused by the fall.
All jockeys were coherent when transported to St. Francis Hospital, Fonner Park said. Bo Butler also was conscious upon reaching the hospital.
“It makes me sick to my stomach to see any horse or its rider be involved in such a horrifying tragedy. Today’s accident was a stark reminder of the ever-present hazard of horse racing. The jockeys and outrider were performing their dangerous professions, which the vast majority of the time ends without incident,” Chris Kotulak, Fonner Park's CEO, said in a press release. “I was pleased to see the incredibly quick reaction from all of the first responders. All of my staff, security and the emergency medical personnel did exactly what they have been trained to do.”
