Torrealba taken to hospital after falling off horse, avoids serious injury

Jockey J.G. Torrealba was taken off his remaining mounts at Laurel Park Friday and transported to a nearby hospital after falling off 4-year-old Aonbharr in the third race. According to his agent, Torrealba did not sustain any significant injuries.

Aonbharr had already crossed the line fifth in the $40,000 maiden claiming race when he sustained a shoulder fracture and misstepped, unseating Torrealba. The gelding, a second-time starter trained by Susan Cooney, was guided into an equine ambulance, while Torrealba was assisted off the track and sent to UM Capital Region Medical Center.

Agent Simon Purdy said that Torrealba is resting at the hospital, did not sustain any fractures, and is in good spirits. The jockey believes he can be back in the saddle as soon as tomorrow and wants to keep his mounts on Sunday, but his immediate status will likely remain unclear until tomorrow morning at the earliest.

On Tuesday morning, Torrealba was in a car accident that also involved apprentice jockey Yedsit Hazlewood, who broke several ribs and required wrist surgery that will keep him off the track for at least seven weeks. Torrealba was relatively unharmed after the incident and returned to the saddle Wednesday.

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