Jockey Gabriel Saez, who guided the ill-fated Eight Belles during her gallant
runner-up effort in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1), issued a statement on Monday
from his home base of Delaware Park.
“I remain heartbroken over Eight Belles, and I want to let her many fans know
that she never gave me the slightest indication before or during the race that
there was anything bothering her,” Saez, 20, said.
“All I could sense under me was how eager she was to race. I was so proud of
her performance, and of the opportunity to ride her in my first Kentucky Derby,
all of which adds to my sadness.
“Riding right now at Delaware Park and being around the horses and other
jockeys is good therapy for me, but I hope the media understands that I prefer
not to conduct interviews at this time. Please respect my decision while I mourn
my personal loss.”
Eight Belles finished a clear second to Big Brown (Boundary) in the Run for
the Roses, but collapsed suddenly on the gallop-out. The Larry Jones filly was
found to have shattered both of her front ankles, and she had to be euthanized.
Jones indicated that an autopsy was to be performed.
Saez had ridden Eight Belles four times prior to the Derby. He was in the
saddle for two of her most dominating victories, a 10-length romp in a Delaware
maiden special weight event in October and a 15-length allowance triumph at Fair
Grounds in January.
Just one day before their Derby tragedy, Jones and Saez had teamed up
successfully with Proud Spell (Proud Citizen) in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Saez, the leading apprentice jockey in his native Panama in 2005, came to the
United States the following year. He quickly established himself at Delaware
Park, where Jones is also headquartered.