Jockey Vince Halliday was injured in a spill at Delaware Park on July 15.
Irish native Vince Halliday remains in critical condition on Tuesday at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., following a spill at Delaware Park on July 15.
Halliday was riding the filly Tua in a $10,000 maiden claiming race, the last race on the day’s card. According to Delaware Park steward Robert Colton, near the final turn of the six-furlong race, Halliday and Tua were running just back of two horses, Hot Tail and Normalizeddeviance. When Normalizeddeviance changed leads, her hindquarters drifted slightly into Tua’s running lane. Tua then clipped her heels and fell, somersaulting before getting up and running riderless until the track maintenance crew caught her. Halliday fell to the track and then was hurdled by another horse, Commission Actress. Jockey Augusto Marin was unseated when Commission Actress jumped but came away from the incident with no significant injuries.
Halliday’s wife Stephanie Pastore shared news of her husband’s current condition as he remains in the Intensive Care Unit on Tuesday.
“Vince remains in the ICU at Christiana Hospital,” Pastore wrote. “His brain bleeds have stabilized, however he still has not gained the ability to use his arms. The injuries to Vince’s neck and lungs have made it very difficult to breathe on his own. Doctors have had no choice [but] to intubate to keep his Oxygen levels up. He is unable to speak or swallow on his own.
“Attempts to remove the breathing tube have been unsuccessful. Additional MRIs have shown multiple fractures to vertebrae and an additional fracture in his sternum.”
Sarah Crane, executive director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, added: “His wife Stephanie has been at his side and is relentless in aiding his recovery and encouraging Vince to stay strong. Vince is very frustrated that he cannot move his arms, speak, or breathe on his own. Vince was able to nod at letters in the alphabet to communicate, anyone that know Vince will not be surprised to learn that he asked about the well-being of ‘Tua’ the filly that fell with him, Vince was happy to learn she will be okay.
“Vince and Stephanie are grateful for the support and the outpouring of love for Vince. Please continue to Pray for Vince and Stephanie during this difficult time.”
The GoFundMe page for Halliday’s recovery can be accessed here.
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