Thomas Wayne famously told his future masked vigilante son and the world that the only purpose for a fall is to get back up again. But sometimes it takes longer to bounce back from a tumble than you’d like. Luckily, every small step counts. For Brian Hernandez Jr., right now, no matter how small the step, the journey back to full health is a long road ahead. But the good news couldn’t be more welcome.
Last Sunday, the celebrity jockey incurred seven broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a liver laceration thanks to a horror fall during the third race at Churchill Downs. In the maiden race for $30,000 claimers, Kenny McPeek’s Sgt. Garcia injured one of his front legs near the 5/16th pole and crashed on the turf, sending Hernandez Jr. flying. The moment left the horse racing community gasping. Unfortunately, the horse ultimately didn’t make it through, but thankfully, the Kentucky Derby-winning jockey is already en route to a full recovery.
On Tuesday, Brian Hernandez Jr. took to X to update his fans about his health condition via a post on X. “I had a successful surgery today to stabilize my ribs. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers!,” he noted his gratefulness for having everyone standing by him during the troubled times. In the accompanying image, the 39-year-old could be seen sitting on his hospital bed, sporting a cap inscribed with Thorpedo Anna, his Kentucky Oaks-winning horse’s name.
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