Jockey Gamez Dies Following Spill at Rillito Park

Jockey Richard Gamez, a veteran horseman who partnered more than 4,600 horses in a career that spanned just shy of half a century, died March 1 after falling from his mount during a race at Tucson's Rillito Park. He was 67. 

As reported by Tucson.com March 2, Gamez, who was riding Drama is Overrated during Sunday's fifth race at the Arizona track when he was suddenly unseated. Following the spill, he was taken to Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix for treatment but later died as a result of his injuries. 

"We are devastated to have lost a member of our Rillito family," read a statement from the Rillito Park Foundation, which is responsible for the management of the track. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to Richard's family and friends. Richard was a fantastic human being and a true horsemen."

Born Sept. 11, 1953, Gamez won 643 of his 4,642 career mounts in his 44 years as a jockey and earned just over $1.2 million in purses. In the same statement from the Rillito Park Foundation it was reported that Gamez had been riding in Arizona since childhood. He currently ranked seventh at the Arizona track this season and had two first place victories on Pickett's Deelite and At Last a Wildcat.