Joseph Bealmear, the 2023 - 24 champion apprentice jockey at Oaklawn, faced a setback when he was involved in an automobile accident, causing him to miss the last two months. But now, he is determined to make a comeback.

Overcoming Adversity - Joseph Bealmear's Riding Journey

Accident and Its Impact

Joseph Bealmear, a 20 - year - old apprentice jockey, had his life take an unexpected turn on Oct. 2 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. On his way back to his Louisville, Ky., home that day, he was involved in an accident that left him with a right leg injury near the knee. "I had a little fracture, but it wasn’t much," he said. "Didn’t need any equipment. No screws or anything. The main thing was I just had a big laceration, which took out some muscle and left some scar tissue. But my leg’s strong, my leg’s fit. Just need to work out that scar tissue and I’ll be back in the saddle."After the accident, Bealmear had to take some time off to recover. He has now been based at Oaklawn and began getting on horses on Dec. 2 in preparation for his comeback. He hopes to resume riding on Dec. 20 on a horse for trainer Tommy Vance. "All that’s holding me back right now is just a range of motion with my leg," he said. "Once I get that back, I’ll be ready to get back in the saddle."

Career Highlights Before the Accident

Bealmear rode his first career winner, We Miss Arlington, on Dec. 30, 2023, at Oaklawn. He finished the 2023 - 2024 meeting with 19 victories, edging out Carlos Barbosa for the leading apprentice title. Barbosa finished with 17 victories. Before the Oaklawn meeting ended last May, Bealmear primarily rode in Kentucky and Indiana. With 40 victories and $2,499,263 in career earnings according to Equibase, he has shown great potential in his riding career."I was always planning on coming back here, injury or not," Bealmear said. "I still wanted to come down here. Hopefully, we can recover quick and hop back into the meet." Bealmear, who has a five - pound apprentice weight allowance, is represented by agent Steve Krajcir. Two - time Oaklawn riding champion Robby Albarado booked mounts for Bealmear at the 2023 - 24 meeting.