Jockey dedicates winner to friend, 19, who died in tragic motorbike crash

A jockey dedicated a winner to his teenage friend who tragically died in a road traffic collision. Luis Yamil Marcano was fatally injured while riding his motorbike in Puerto Rico on Sunday night. Reports state the 19-year-old's vehicle was involved in an incident with a truck - and the other driver is yet to be located.

Top apprentice rider Marcano had only just learned he was going to become a father, as he moved his career to Florida, US. After a successful race at Tampa Bay Downs, the location for the tragic teen's intended debut on Friday, his colleague John Hiraldo paid tribute. "He's been on my mind since (the accident) happened," said the rider via Paulick Report[1], after winning a maiden claiming event Vicious Moves. "He was a humble person who liked to crack jokes and make you laugh.

Everybody he met got along with him."

Marcano, who had competed for a year, topped the apprentice standings at Belterra Park, Ohio, in 2023. In his short career he recorded 52 wins from 382 appearances, with his horses earning more than GBP550,000. JMS Racing Stables has launched a Gofundme[4] campaign to assist his family and said: "He had recently found out he was going to be a father for the first time and was very proud of that moment.

Luis lived with no fear and was so full of life.

"He always had the most infectious smile and laugh that would light up any room.

He loved his family and friends deeply while always being concerned and willing to help in anyway that he could."