Multiple stakes-winning jockey Zack Ziegler remains hospitalized after a serious spill occurred at Columbus Ag Park on Saturday, Sept. 30.
The 35-year-old was riding After Burn in the final race on the card at the Nebraska racetrack, when the 4-year-old gelding clipped heels with a leading rival and unseated Ziegler. According to a GoFundMe page set up after the incident, After Burn “fell directly on top of Zach, then rolled back onto him trying to get up and ended it with stepping on the back of his neck and lower left side when he finally got up.”
Ziegler was airlifted to Lincoln Trauma Center, where fundraiser coordinator Carrie Robb reports that he immediately underwent surgery to repair a brain bleed. Additional trauma includes a possible C7 fracture, possible facial fractures, and a laceration to his right eye.
As of Sunday, Ziegler remains on a ventilator, but his sedation was lowered and he has been able to respond to some commands.
“He has a traumatic brain injury so only time and Zach can control this healing process,” Robb wrote on the GoFundMe page. “They did put a fiber optic probe in his brain to measure the pressure and activity to stay in top of any possible swelling. Zach has a long road to recovery and will be out for months (they have warned me there could be deficits and delays once he wakes up). He will have multiple therapy sessions once released from the hospital, which they have told me it could be weeks or months. Zach is the dad to four kids and they need him to heal up quickly. Zach needs all the love, support, prayers and any help he can get right now.”
Ziegler's record on Equibase includes 193 wins with Thoroughbreds, 49 wins with Quarter Horses, and an additional two wins in mixed-breed races.
The GoFundMe page is available here.
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