Jockey Tyler Conner has sustained a C1 fracture and broken nose following a spill in the seventh race July 24 at Colonial Downs, according to his agent.
Conner was unseated when his mount, the Elizabeth Merryman-trained Stanza, clipped heels and fell around the far turn when his path was shut off by eventual race winner Montador. Following a stewards' inquiry, Montador, ridden by Francisco Arrieta, was ultimately disqualified and placed last.
According to Kevin Kerstein, the head of publicity for Colonial Downs, Conner was conscious and communicating with Colonial Downs' medical staff prior to being airlifted to Virginia Commonwealth Hospital in Richmond, Va., for further evaluation.
Conner's agent, Paula Bacon, told BloodHorse that Conner "has regained his feeling everywhere. And he was in very good spirits when I spoke to him."
Colonial Downs cancelled the remaining four races on its Thursday card and released the following statement: "In support of the jockey colony at Colonial Downs, we will be canceling the remainder of the race card today. Our thoughts are with Conner and his team."
Conner has won 54 races with earnings of $1,617,082 in 2025. A multiple graded stakes-winning jockey, Conner has ridden 1,271 winners from 7,994 mounts and banked $29,275,280.
