Jockey Gutierrez-Sosa Dies in Oregon Spill

Eduardo Gutierrez-Sosa, a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockey, died from a spill on a Quarter Horse in the first race July 14 at Crooked River Roundup in Oregon, according to published reports and a chart of the race.

The Central Oregonian reported the death of the Crooked River rider as a result of a fall in the first race Wednesday evening, though it withheld his name in its initial reporting. The Equibase chart noted it was Gutierrez-Sosa who was unseated when his mount, Godfather Advice, owned by Enrique Garibay-Ceja and trained by Rosa Rodriguez, struck the inside rail. The horse walked off the racetrack according to the chart.

After a delay, Crooked River conducted its second race Wednesday night. The track then canceled racing.

Crooked River runs a short, four-day meet that lasts through July 17. 

The Central Oregonian reported that race director Doug Smith announced on the public address system prior to the third race that Gutierrez-Sosa had died, and that he and other members of the Crooked Roundup board were heartbroken. 

Terry Meyocks, president and CEO of the Jockeys' Guild, said he received a telephone call the morning of July 15, notifying him that Gutierrez-Sosa, a member of his organization, had died. 

"It's a shame," Meyocks said.

Gutierrez-Sosa, who began riding in 2013, won 194 Thoroughbred races and 171 Quarter Horse races, according to Equibase statistics. He was 29, married, and had three children, according to the Jockeys' Guild.

Prior to the Crooked River meet, Gutierrez-Sosa rode this year at Grants Pass Downs. He also competed at Portland Meadows, Tillamook County Fair, and Harney County Fair, according to the Jockeys' Guild.

"This is so tragic," tweeted Jason Beem, who announced at Grants Pass Downs. "Eduardo rode much of his career in Oregon. If you watched (Grants Pass Downs), you'd see after every race Eduardo won, his children would greet him after the race with a hug and a kiss. Condolences to his wife Rosa and their children."