Apprentice jockey Bealmear nears return after auto accident

Joseph Bealmear, Oaklawn’s 2023-24 champion apprentice jockey, said he hopes to resume riding in late December after missing the last two months because of an automobile accident.

Bealmear, 20, hasn’t ridden since Oct. 2 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Bealmear said he injured his right leg, near the knee, in the accident, which occurred later that day returning to his Louisville, Ky., home.

“I had a little fracture, but it wasn’t much,” Bealmear said. “Didn’t need any equipment. No screws or anything. The main thing was I just had a big laceration, so it took out some muscle and left some scar tissue. My leg’s strong, my leg’s fit. Just need to work out that scar tissue and I’ll be back in the saddle.”

Bealmear, still an apprentice, is now based at Oaklawn and said he began getting on horses Dec. 2 in preparation for his comeback. Bealmear said he hopes to resume riding 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,” Bealmear said. “Once I get that back, I’ll be ready to get back in the saddle.”

Bealmear rode his first career winner, We Miss Arlington, on Dec. 30, 2023, at Oaklawn. He finished the 2023-2024 meeting with 19 victories to edge Carlos Barbosa for leading apprentice. Barbosa finished with 17 victories.

Bealmear rode primarily in Kentucky and Indiana after the Oaklawn meeting ended last May. He has 40 victories and $2,499,263 in career earnings, according to Equibase, racing’s official data gathering organization.

“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 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.