Jockey Tyler Conner, who was seriously injured in a fall at Colonial Downs July 24, continues to heal but says he's done riding races.
In a video update posted to social media, Conner wears a neck brace, explains the complicated nature of his injuries and how he's begun to regain feeling in his arms and legs following the accident.
“I broke my C1, compression fractured my T5, bruised my spinal cord which they call 'central cord syndrome',” Conner says in the video. “So I was fully paralyzed for a small amount of time and everything's slowly coming back. I can move my legs pretty quick and started walking pretty soon but everything feels like its asleep, especially my hands. My left hand is basically useless at the moment.”
Conner was aboard the 3-year-old gelding Stanza (Great Notion) during Colonial's seventh race when his mount clipped heels and fell around the far turn. The incident led to a 15-day careless-riding suspension for jockey Francisco Arrieta who was on board the disqualified race winner Montador (Nyquist).
“As for what's next, I really have no idea,” Conner continued. “I have zero desire to ride a race horse again. I've been wanting to quit for years and this gives me a good reason to now. I just have to focus on getting healthy and figuring out what I want to do.”
A GoFundMe, set up the day of the accident, has already raised more than $60,000 towards Conner's recovery.
A small update. Thank you all! pic.twitter.com/fEVFXgK0F8
— Tyler Conner (@tyler_conner519) August 4, 2025
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