Jockey Umberto Rispoli, sidelined with a broken right ankle since Jan. 24, is "still a ways away" from returning to the saddle, his agent Matt Nakatani said March 15.
"He started physical therapy two weeks ago," Nakatani said. "There's still no timetable for him. Whenever he's healthy again, he'll be back."
Rispoli was injured on Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park. In the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint, Rispoli was unseated in the stretch when his mount, Unconquerable Keen, clipped heels. Rispoli suffered a broken fibula, fractured malleolus with a displacement, and a small fracture in the tibia. He had surgery the following day and a second surgery six days later. Rispoli spent 12 days in Florida before returning home to Southern California.
"He's taking things day by day," Nakatani said. "He's finally walking a little bit now. He can take little baby steps. The most important thing is he's inching forward."
A 37-year-old native of Italy, Rispoli moved to Southern California in December of 2019 after a successful international career. Last year was his best season to date in the United States. Rispoli won 129 races from 594 mounts (22%) and tallied more than $13.4 million in purse earnings. His victories included 19 graded stakes.
Most notably, Rispoli, last year, teamed with Journalism to win the Preakness Stakes (G1), Haskell Stakes (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and the San Felipe Stakes (G2). They also finished second to 3-year-old champion and 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1). Rispoli's other grade 1 wins last year came with Formidable Man in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) and Salamis in the Hollywood Derby (G1T).
"Everything will work out," Nakatani said. "I want him to be 110% confident before he returns. Anytime it's an ankle, there's a risk of banging it coming out of the gate, hitting the rail, or whatever else. So many things can happen out there. Ankles are key for a jockey's balance and how sturdy their legs are."
Nakatani noted that things will become clearer once Rispoli completes his physical therapy.
"These guys are athletes and with any kind of injury, if you come back too soon and there's a setback, then you'll need even more time," he said. "Once the therapy process is completed, he'll be able to get on a horse, and that will tell him where he's at. But that's still a ways away."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
