Jockey Leonel Reyes Aims for Comeback After Severe Ankle Injury

The Venezuelan rider was just three wins shy of 1,000 U.S. victories when he suffered an open fracture in a three-horse spill at Gulfstream Park.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:42pm

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A cubist, fragmented painting in earthy tones showing the overlapping, angular shapes of a horse race, conveying the energy and drama of the sport.A fractured, geometric depiction of a dramatic horse race captures the intensity and movement of jockey Leonel Reyes' comeback from a severe ankle injury.Hallandale Beach Today

Jockey Leonel Reyes, a two-time national champion in Venezuela and nine-time meet titlist at National Racetrack Valencia, is gearing up for a return to racing after sustaining an open fracture of his left ankle in a three-horse spill at Gulfstream Park in November 2025. Reyes, who has ridden approximately 2,200 winners in his career, underwent surgery and 2.5 months of rehabilitation, and has been cleared to resume riding races starting April 9.

Why it matters

Reyes is considered a 'superhuman' jockey, having won 100 or more races every year since 2021 and leading the Gulfstream Park summer meet in 2023. His comeback will be closely watched as he aims to reach the 1,000-win milestone in the U.S. after his devastating injury.

The details

Reyes was aboard Value Inthe Clouds in a 2-year-old maiden claiming race on the Tapeta all-weather track at Gulfstream Park on Nov. 2, 2025. He was just behind the front-running Kaholo, who fell in deep stretch after sustaining a severe foreleg injury, throwing Miguel Angel Vasquez to the ground. Value Inthe Clouds tripped over Kaholo, as did another horse, Kung Foo, whose rider, Richard Bracho, was also dislodged. Kaholo was euthanized on the track, while Value Inthe Clouds walked off and Kung Foo was transported via equine ambulance. Reyes underwent surgery to repair the open fracture and required 2.5 months of rehabilitation to strengthen the ankle joint.

  • On November 2, 2025, Reyes suffered an open fracture of his left ankle in a three-horse spill at Gulfstream Park.
  • Reyes started getting on horses in the mornings on March 24, 2026.
  • Reyes will be named on horses in the afternoon for April 9, 2026.

The players

Leonel Reyes

A jockey who was just three wins shy of 1,000 U.S. victories when he suffered an open fracture of his left ankle in a three-horse spill at Gulfstream Park in November 2025. Reyes is a two-time national champion in Venezuela and a nine-time meet titlist at National Racetrack Valencia before moving to the U.S. in 2016.

Jose Sanchez

Reyes' agent, who told the Paulick Report that Reyes has been cleared to resume riding races starting April 9, 2026.

Kaholo

A horse that fell in deep stretch after sustaining a severe foreleg injury, throwing its rider Miguel Angel Vasquez to the ground and causing the three-horse spill that resulted in Reyes' injury.

Value Inthe Clouds

The horse Reyes was aboard when the three-horse spill occurred, causing him to suffer an open fracture of his left ankle.

Kung Foo

Another horse involved in the three-horse spill at Gulfstream Park, whose rider Richard Bracho was also dislodged.

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What they’re saying

“He's about 99.5 percent ready.”

— Jose Sanchez, Reyes' agent

“Jockeys are superhuman.”

— Jose Sanchez, Reyes' agent

What’s next

Reyes will be named on horses in the afternoon for April 9, 2026, as he makes his comeback after the severe ankle injury.

The takeaway

Reyes' comeback from a devastating open fracture injury will be closely watched, as the 'superhuman' jockey aims to reach the 1,000-win milestone in the U.S. and continue his successful career after a lengthy rehabilitation.