Umberto Rispoli to Undergo Second Ankle Surgery for Fractured Fibula; Return Uncertain

Jockey Umberto Rispoli is scheduled to undergo a second surgery in South Florida to stabilize injuries and address a fractured fibula after being unseated in the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint on the Pegasus World Cup undercard. The spill on Jan. 24 left Rispoli with multiple fractures to his ankle, tibia and fibula, and he was carried off the turf on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital.

Rispoli’s agent, Matt Nakatani, provided the timeline and medical details, saying, “He’s going to have surgery tomorrow morning and then is looking to come home early next week.” Nakatani added that there is no firm timetable for Rispoli’s return and that recovery will be handled “day-by-day.” Team messages posted on social media relayed that Rispoli “is in good spirits and under great care at a nearby hospital” and confirmed the fractures. The team also said, “He will be undergoing surgery as soon as possible under doctor's recommendation. As soon as we have a timetable for a return, we will provide more information. Umberto is focused on one thing and one thing only, getting back to the saddle as soon as possible.”

The spill occurred near the sixteenth pole of the five-furlong turf sprint when John Velazquez aboard My Boy Prince appeared to drift in front of Rispoli and his mount Unconquerable Keen. The 7-year-old gelding trained by Phil D'Amato stumbled or clipped heels in deep stretch and dislodged Rispoli, who was sent over his left shoulder. Unconquerable Keen regained his footing, galloped out with the field, was collared by outriders and walked back to the barn under his own power. Litigation prevailed in the sprint and My Boy Prince finished third.

This sequence is significant for the sport on several levels. Rispoli is one of the leading riders to have relocated to the United States in recent years; he moved here in 2020 and emerged as a headline player in 2025 with the Preakness victory aboard Journalism and other graded stakes successes. His absence could reshape riding assignments for top stables and affect the short-term plans for high-profile mounts that sought his services. The medical prognosis suggests he is expected to be sidelined for several months, creating a vacancy in the jockey colony that trainers and owners will need to fill while the industry watches for his recovery.

Beyond immediate racing logistics, the incident underscores ongoing safety concerns that accompany turf sprints run in tight finishes and heavy traffic. For followers of the sport, Rispoli’s rehabilitation and the outcome of the upcoming surgery will be a focal point for the next phase of the racing season. Racing connections and fans will be watching for updates on his post-operative status and the timetable for a return to the saddle.