Romero Maragh has surgery, faces long road back

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Thoracic fusion surgery for Romero Maragh has been deemed successful and the 18-year-old apprentice rider now faces a lengthy rehabilitation before he can return to the saddle.

Maragh underwent surgery Friday at Aventura Hospital to fuse five vertebrae (T5 through T9) following a Thursday spill at Gulfstream Park. Trainer Aubrey Maragh, his uncle, said doctors were “very happy with how the surgery went” and that Romero Maragh on Sunday “actually was on his feet, doing a little walking.”

“We all feel very fortunate,” Aubrey Maragh said early Monday. “Romero still has a long way to go. The doctors said he can go home later this week and then he will start rehab. They are saying nine months, at least, before he can start thinking about getting on horses. But yes, it is good news and we are very lucky.”

Romero Maragh was injured in a fall to the Gulfstream turf when his mount, Classic Act, clipped heels with Dixie Princess, whose jockey, Paco Lopez, drew a 30-day suspension from the Gulfstream stewards for the incident.

Romero Maragh, from a well-known racing family that traces its roots to Jamaica, rode his first race on April 15 and had his first winner on April 28, both at Gulfstream. His current win total stands at 85.