Retired jockey Cheyanna Closser, formerly Cheyanna Patrick, died July 29 from injuries sustained in a July 28 motor vehicle accident. She was 29.
According to investigators of the Markleville, Ind., accident, a semi driver ran a stop sign at an intersection, colliding into Closser's car. She was airlifted to a hospital in Indianapolis where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Daughter of former jockey Cindy Patrick and trainer Gary Patrick, Closser began her riding career in 2013 at Fairmount Park and was a regular presence in races at Horseshoe Indianapolis. While riding in races during the summer, she pursued a law degree at the University of Kentucky and practiced at Hensley Law Firm in Indianapolis after graduating.
The multiple stakes-placed rider won 66 races at Horseshoe Indianapolis, completing her career in 2018 with a career record of 74-90-99 with her mounts earning $1,514,116 in purses. She also won the Shelbyville, Ind., track's Juan Saez Leading Apprentice Jockey Award in 2015. The Indiana racing community held a moment of silence in the winner's circle Wednesday in her memory.
Closser would go on to be the founder of Indiana Legacy Lawyer Estate Planning. Throughout her career as an attorney, she remained in touch with her equine side as an active barrel racer. Closser and her husband, Gabe, owned and barrel raced several retired racehorses from her father's barn.
