Jockeys’ Guild Chairman John Velazquez was released by
his doctors at Norton Audubon Hospital
in Louisville Kentucky this afternoon. Velazquez was
transported to the hospital on June 16th after the horse he was
riding in the 9th race at Churchill Downs broke down.
Velazquez suffered an injury to his right shoulder, which
was determined to a broken collarbone. Doctors decided to have Velazquez
remain for further observations as he had suffered such a traumatic blow to his
kidney.
“We would like to thank Dr. Bayard Rice and Dr. Ganesh
Rao, as well as the entire staff and nurses at Audubon, who provided Johnny
with such excellent care. We are so grateful to them,” said Leona
Velazquez, wife of John Velazquez. “They did such a thorough job
making sure that he was one hundred percent before he was released.”
Velazquez, along with his wife Leona, will be returning to
his home in New York today and will follow up
with his doctors at the Hospital for the Special Surgery in New York City.
“Many thanks to Heather Craig, assistant to Graham
Motion, who was there the entire time with Johnny after the spill. We
would also like to express our sincere appreciation and special thanks to all
family members, friends and fans for all of the well-wishes, calls, texts and
visits during this time,” said Leona.
Doctors estimated that the kidney will heal on its own over
the next two weeks. No further determination with regards to
Velazquez’s recovery time will be made until he has had an opportunity to
meet with his doctors in New York.