“Jockey life isn’t for the faint of heart,” expressed Jamie Hernandez, wife of celebrity jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., in a social media post following the harrowing events on Sunday. On September 21, during the third race at Churchill Downs, the maiden race for $30,000 claimers, Hernandez Jr. flew off Sgt. Garcia, when the horse injured its front leg near the 5/16th pole. And now, the American jockey will have an extended time on a hospital bed.

Sunday’s fall left Brian with seven broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a liver laceration. He underwent a minor surgery immediately after the fall. However, Hernandez Jr. isn’t out of the woods just yet. In an article by Thoroughbred Daily News from September 22, the jockey himself updated about his condition. “They did a little small surgery on my liver last night, but we still have the seven broken ribs. They’re going to do a surgery on the ribs [Tuesday] and, hopefully, that will be something that will get me going in the right direction,” Hernandez Jr. was quoted as saying.

He further noted that the doctors treating his injuries suggested that the jockey might be out of action for six to eight weeks. However, being a member of the thrilling sports community, Hernandez Jr. justifiably hopes for a different scenario after his surgery. “The doctors are saying between six and eight weeks. We’ll know more here in the next few days after we do the surgery on the ribs. That’s when we’ll have a whole lot better idea of when we can get back,” he could hardly be more subtle about his wishes to hit the racetrack once again.

However, with his current situation, the future of his regular horses is now in question. Mystik Dan, possibly Hernandez Jr.’s most popular equine partner, could run in the GII Lukas Classic worth $500,000 at Churchill Downs (Grade 2) on September 27. Moreover, Thorpedo Anna, Brian’s Kentucky Oaks winner, made the list for October 5’s $650,000 Spinster Stakes (Grade 1). With the jockey’s movements restricted at the University of Louisville Hospital, these horses trained by Kenny McPeek will have to look elsewhere to secure a partner.

Thankfully, McPeek, being the seasoned trainer he is, knows how time calls for more attention to Brian’s health than the races. “No decision’s been made yet on Mystik Dan or Thorpedo Anna… I’m not going to rush to a decision and I’ve got until Saturday morning to decide on a rider for Mystik Dan. We’re more concerned with Brian and hoping that he’s going to be OK,” he said.

However, these are just part and parcel of the job, and Hernandez Jr. is one to take things as they come. Despite his woes, the jockey seems in good spirits and reportedly threw a few one-liners a day after his fall. Unfortunately, his horse from Sunday wasn’t lucky enough to tell his side of the story.

As per McPeek, “Sgt. Garcia was euthanized as a result of compound fracture in left foreleg sustained nearing the quarter pole over a sloppy, sealed main track.” That’s news we could have done without. But, as they say, the show must go on, and Hernandez Jr. himself only has eyes on the road ahead.

Brian Hernandez Jr. isn’t riding Mystik Dan into glory any time soon

“At one point you’re saying I don’t ever want to ever do this again. The next second, you’re thinking ‘When can I come back? I have all these good horses to ride,'” the jockey grinned about how the horse racing bug is already making its presence felt inside his head. Be that as it may, Brian will have to watch Mystik Dan from the sidelines, at least for the Breeders’ Cup showdown.

Last year’s Derby winner finished the Arlington Million in fourth place in this year’s event. Moreover, trainer McPeek hoped the horse could redeem himself at Del Mar in November by winning the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. On being asked about the chances of racing in California following the disappointing result last month, Kenny said, “More than likely. Obviously, we wanted to be better than fourth, he’s just a nice horse in so many ways. I wanted to find out. I thought it was a respectable race for the most part. Now we’ve got to figure out a plan to get him to the Breeders’ Cup,” underscoring his faith in Mystik Dan’s abilities.

The Breeders’ Cup seems to be off the table as of now. But do you think Brian Hernandez Jr. will still be back to finish the season on his own terms? Tell us your take in a comment!