Jockey Chapa Dies at Age 50

Jockey Roman Chapa, who won nearly 2,000 sanctioned races across different breeds, died July 27, according to a social media post from his sister-in-law Danya Jegede. He was 50. Last year Chapa won races at Sweetwater Downs in Wyoming and Arapahoe Park in Colorado. This March, he was severely injured in a race in Georgia, his wife, Casey, posted on Facebook. Chapa participated in unsanctioned races in some states. Complications from his March injuries resulted in collapsed lungs and other health issues. On July 2, Casey wrote on Facebook that after 103 days of medical care, 45 of those in a medically induced coma, the rider returned home. "He leaves behind three beautiful daughters, precious grandkids, two families on both sides who loved him," Jegede added on Facebook. Equibase lists Chapa as having won 1,722 Thoroughbred races and another 166 in races for other breeds. He did not ride in sanctioned races from 2015-19 while he served a five-year suspension for carrying a buzzer in a race at Sam Houston Race Park in 2015, one of the multiple infractions the rider had for electronic shocking devices. The Texas Racing Commission also fined him $100,000. Jegede indicated on Facebook that visitation would be held Aug. 3 from 5-7 p.m. CT at Hurley Funeral Home in Pleasanton, Texas. A rosary service will follow. The next day, a celebration of life memorial service will be held at the Cowboy Fellowship Church in Jourdanton at 10 a.m.