Injured Jockey Martin Remains Critical

If Quarter Horse racing had a Mount Rushmore, jockey Jacky Martin’s likeness would be well-placed. The 56-year-old Martin (photo right) has won the prestigious All American Futurity seven times and nearly 3,000 races. He is a member of the Ruidoso Downs Hall of Fame and considered to be among the legends of the sport.

Martin suffered a career ending accident at Ruidoso Downs Friday, Sept. 2, when his mount in a maiden claiming race broke down just passed the finish line. According to reports, Martin was thrown hard to the ground, and in an instant his life had changed.

Later Friday night, Martin was air-lifted from Lincoln County Hospital in Ruidoso to University Medical Center in El Paso, where he has been stabilizing since the accident. As in many of these types of injuries, there was early hope that paralysis would subside with the swelling, but by Saturday, the El Paso Times was reporting that wife and agent Tracey Martin had confirmed that her husband was paralyzed from the neck down.

Jacky Martin was scheduled to ride morning line favorite and eventual winner Ochoa in the $2.4 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Monday for trainer Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath. "Jacky Martin told me this horse has so much potential, and when Jacky tells you that, you listen," Gilbreath said after the All American victory. "I'm thinking of Jacky; he's meant so much to our team."

According to University Medical Center staff, Martin remains in critical condition, when contacted Wednesday afternoon by The Brock Talk. The hospital spokesperson was not able to elaborate due to hospital policy, but did say that Martin is listed as a “publicity patient” and that cards, letters, flowers and plants are being accepted at the hospital.

To Send Cards and Flowers:
University Medical Center
4815 Alameda Place
c/o Jacky Martin
El Paso, Texas 79905

No floor or room information is necessary for delivery to Martin according to the hospital spokesperson.

There is also a Jacky Martin Get Well Card on Facebook, of which I am the administrator. Any updates I receive will be posted there and one can leave messages, thoughts and prayers for Mr. Martin and his family on that page as well.