Groom dies following Oaklawn training accident

Perfecto Diaz, a widely respected groom and hotwalker known throughout tracks in the Midwest, died Friday of injuries sustained during a Wednesday morning training accident at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., according to family members. Diaz was 55.

Diaz died at a local hospital from head trauma sustained in an accident Wednesday, according to close family member Griselda Meraz. Diaz was injured when a loose horse coming off the track collided with him near one of the gap areas.

Diaz’s sister, retired racetracker Aurea Wences, Meraz and other family members recently arrived in Arkansas.

Meraz said Diaz was a native of Mexico who came to the United States in 1984. She said he spent his career on the racetrack and regularly worked at Hawthorne in his home state of Illinois, as well as tracks in Kentucky, at Canterbury in Minnesota and at Oaklawn.

“He had a passion definitely for horses, and animals,” Meraz said Saturday. “His family was already [in the U.S.] working at the racetrack, so he fit right in with what his passion was.

“He was very humble, very friendly to say the least. He was easy going, always willing to help with anything – very good qualities as a person.”

Diaz had been working at Oaklawn for trainer Fernando Bahena. Diaz was a longtime family friend and Bahena said saw him on the backstretch before the start of the meet, stopped to talk, and learned he was looking for work and immediately brought him on board.

“He knew my mom before I was born,” Bahena said. “He’s known my sister and I since we were kids.

“People really love him. He’s fun to be around, always joking.”

Bahena said Diaz was a friend to so many backstretch children, joking with them and simply making them smile. He said Diaz watched many grow up and go on to work in the industry, particularly those in the Chicago area he called home.

Meraz said plans are to bring Diaz home to Illinois.

“We’re in the process of finding the financial means to get him back home to Illinois so that we can do funeral services with family, a burial there for him,” Meraz said.

Those looking to help with the funeral and burial costs can send donations to the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association at P.O. Box 20203, Hot Springs, Ark., 71903. Donations should be labeled for the expenses for Diaz.

Jeanette Milligan, executive director of the Arkansas HBPA, said her affiliate is working with the National HBPA and affiliates in Illinois, Louisiana, and Minnesota.

“It was something that definitely caught us off guard.” Meraz said. “We do not have the financial means. We were not prepared for this situation. Definitely anything small, any quantity, would help us in the process.”

Meraz said Diaz never married or had children, but took delight in the lives of the children of his sisters and other family members.

“We have great memories of him,” said Meraz.

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