Vince Halliday.
By John Manley
Jockey Vince Halliday remains in critical condition in a Delaware hospital following a spill in a race at Delaware Park on July 15. The Belfast native suffered multiple fractures to his upper extremities and two small brain bleeds, according to internet posts by his wife, Stephanie Pastore. She said that his breathing has been impaired as a result and that he has been intubated. The good news is that he has the use of his legs, although he has been confined to a hospital bed and can’t speak.
The spill occurred in the final race of the day when Tua, the filly he was riding, clipped heels with a rival in front of her, causing her to fall and throw Halliday, who was then struck by a trailing horse.
Halliday apprenticed in Ireland with Kevin Prendergast and then came to America in 2008 but has never really gotten his career into gear following an accident during training hours at Gulfstream Park soon after his arrival when a horse he was riding flipped over on him. He has plied his trade on the mid-Atlantic circuit, primarily at Delaware Park.
Pastore said that after the accident, Halliday’s greatest concern was the well being of Tua, which was uninjured.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to aid in paying for Halliday’s recovery. Click here.
