Jockey Sues Suffolk Downs Over Injuries
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Former jockey Andrea Terrill is suing Suffolk Downs near Boston, Mass., for injuries she sustained in a 2013 race.
The Boston Globe reports the rider is demanding $1.3 million from Suffolk Downs in Revere alleging that racing officials failed to enforce minimum helmet safety standards.
"Suffolk Downs failed to properly ensure that Terrill wore a helmet that met the minimum safety standard" required under state law, according to the lawsuit filed Nov. 25.
Terrill says she is no longer able to race ride after being thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious when her horse stumbled out of the gate during a race on July 8, 2013. Terrill suffered three skull fractures in the accident and still suffers from headaches, dizziness, and other ailments.
According to Equibase, Terrill had 18 wins from 78 mounts in 2013, with purse earnings of $192,183 and has not ridden since the accident. From 758 career rides, Terrill had 107 wins, 102 seconds, 102 thirds, and earnings of $1,289,276.
Suffolk Downs' chief operating officer Chip Tuttle said the lawsuit has no merit.
"We obviously are very sympathetic to jockeys any time there is an injury," Tuttle said, according to the Globe. "It's a very dangerous profession, and we have great admiration for their courage."
Suffolk Downs does not plan to operate horse races next year after the state gaming commission granted its Greater Boston resort casino license to another applicant in Everett.