Jockey killed in horse race at Alameda County Fair

Our sincere sympathy to Mr.Herrara’s family. Racing is an American Pastime that is exciting as well as beautiful to watch. The connection between a horse and rider is a silent bond to be respected. As any Horeman will tell you, every time you ride any horse, not just in racing, there is a risk involved, but we take it in stride to mount up and feel the relationship of (wo)man and the nobel horse. Mr. Herrara died doing what he loved. How many of us can say that? R.I.P.
~ a fan and Horsewoman.

I was at that race and yes saw the horse come through the finish area, without a rider. Everyone including me looked around the race track and didn’t see anything. We all hoped the rider was OK but because it happened all the way across the track and the people in charge didn’t say how he was… we could only pray. Two other ambulances raced to the fairgrounds as I was leaving, it was the last race. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and all who touched his soul ~ I hope the Fairgrounds do something special for him today, in his honor, and to pay respect to all those who place their lives in harms way, not only as a job but as a passion in their lives ~

Bless this Jorge and his family and friends. We saw the race, the horse come in without this jockey and wondered what had happened. The starting gate was far from the stands so we could not see what was happening. We all prayed he was alright and it was terrible to hear this news today.
He may have fallen, the horse may have thrown him and another horse may have stepped on Jorge. I hope the fair and race track society will take care of his family and honor him. It would be nice to have an ongoing memorial to these Jockeys and the Horses. There have been times when temperatures have been high and horses have died in the track or be come lame. I am not sure of how many human deaths have occurred. The fair currently has a history display and some of the cases are focused on Jockeys and racing. I would love to see a permanent display. As a matter of fact, I think they needed a museum expert to come in to write the history for their display. They had a designer place things in cases beautifully, but, it is a honor to those in the past to provide historical written information. Did they work with the local historical society? What harm would be done from making a collaborative effort? There are specific guidelines too. There is actually an ADA requirement for exhibits. Font needs to be a specific size. For those in wheelchairs, they too should be able to see exhibits. Overall, the history is a very nice touch, I’d like to see a memorial and a permanent historical display with a professional historical writer involved. It would be a fine way to honor these people and families who give so much.
Also, to the person mentioning that Eden is a Trauma Center- I believe the person before you was questioning why, in this community, don’t WE have a local trauma unit? My general practitioner actually tells us to go to another nearby hospital and to skip valley memorial whenever possible (he never really said why, yet, we listen to him).
It would be nice to have a local trauma unit, yet, I don’t believe it would have helped in Jorge’s case. Still, this community needs better care and top quality facilities. Would donations help? Perhaps we can brainstorm, speak up and come up with suggestions and plans that work. We need better facilities locally to help people in a more timely manner. Thanks, Cindy

Dear Mike@ more deaths occur from auto crashes then horse racing OR pedestrians that cross the street against the red light. just saying

I knew Jorge and he wouldn’t have changes a thing.

Horses love to have a job to do. If it is a race horse, than they love to race. If it’s a pulling or riding horse they are right there to do what ever they love to do. Racetrack horses are treated very well . They are the owners bread and butter. To lose a race horse is millions of dollars down the tube. Race horses are treated like royalty. I have heard horror stories about how horses are used in all kinds of situations. Bad things happen and it is sad we have to lose people or animals. There is a risk in almost all jobs where an animal and a person are working togather. I know because I have been working with horses ever since I was 10 yrs old. I am now 73 and still working with horses. Accidents happen. Praying for Jorge and Jorge’s family.