A YOUNG AMERICAN jockey has been found dead at Churchill Downs racecourse just days after riding the second-placed horse in the prestigious Kentucky Derby.
The body of Michael Baze, 24, was discovered shortly before 5pm yesterday evening in his car which was parked in the course’s stable area.
Police have confirmed that they are investigating the circumstances of Baze’s death though they do not suspect foul play at this time.
Reports have suggested that staff at the track saw the jockey lying in his car for a number of hours before the alarm was raised in the late afternoon.
Baze, who is the second cousin of all-time leading American jockey Russell Baze, guided Nehro to a second-place finish behind Animal Kingdom in Saturday evening’s Derby.
Over the course of an eight-year career, the jockey won 918 races including 53 stakes and 20 graded stakes.
