After a Freak Accident Left Him in the Dirt, Equestrian Worth $45,246,278 Diagnosed With ‘Non Critical’ Fracture in His Neck

As the news of Jose Ortiz’s recovery and tentative comeback came, another accident happened at the Del Mar Racetrack. Jockey Abel Cedillo was riding Get the Gold in his fourth race at the track when the incident happened. He was participating in a one-mile special weight race for California-breds.

During that race, Cedillo fell from the horse after it was hardly bumped by another horse. Cedillo who was lying in the dirt was immediately attended to by medical staff. He complained of neck pain and was taken to the  Scripps Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

Abel Cedillo suffers a non-critical neck fracture

During the Del Mar race, Abel Cedillo’s horse Get the Gold was bumped by SilverN Black which forced him to pinball with other horses and clip heel throwing the jockey awkwardly. Cedillo fell on the ground very hard and clutched his shoulder and neck while on the track. The starting gate crews were the first to arrive. They lifted him and carried him to the winning circle near the area. The medical personnel arrived and fitted him with a neck brace. While laying there he complained about the neck pain. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance for X-rays.

After analysis of medical reports, it came to light that Cedillo had a fracture in the bone of the neck. But it is a no critical fracture. Speaking about his health he said, “I’ve got a little pain right now“. The doctors have said that he does require any surgery and will go for four to six weeks of physical therapy. Commenting on the incident the more than $45 million worth Cedillo said the gate crew should not have lifted him, instead they should have stopped the race. He said, “I think it was a mistake”.

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Silver N Black was disqualified for bumping Get the Gold despite finishing fourth in the race. Get the Gold was apprehended by the gate crew and taken back to the stables. Cedillo is not discouraged and hopes to come back stronger.

Abel Cedillo’s Jockey Career

Abel Cedillo, the Guatemalan kicked off his career in 2009. He won his first race in the year 2010. He mostly traded in the Northern California circuit, particularly at Golden Gate Fields. But, in 2019 he shifted to the Southern California circuit. From there, he broke to the national level. In 2014, he won his first graded stakes. Till now he has 1,595 career victories from 10,744 starts in his entire career.

This year he had 25 wins from 203 starts. He had a slow this year winning only 11 races through the end of May. But had a greater success after that winning eight races in June and six races this month. He had two wins over the weekend at the Del Mar Race track. His this year earning is $1,231,784.

Abel Cedillo was fortunate to escape with a non-critical neck fracture. The race authorities should attend in time but such incidents could be handled with more precision and timely manner.

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