Michael Rowland was an American jockey

Jockey

A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...

. He was born in Saratoga Springs, New York

Saratoga Springs, New York

Saratoga Springs, also known as simply Saratoga, is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 26,586 at the 2010 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. While the word "Saratoga" is known to be a corruption of a Native American name, ...

.

Rowland died at University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio

Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...

 from head injuries suffered during a race on February 4 at Turfway Park

Turfway Park

Turfway Park is an American horse racing track located just outside the city limits to the north of Florence, Kentucky, about 10 miles south of the Ohio River at Cincinnati...

, when his mount broke down and collapsed. Two other jockeys were injured. He was placed on life support, but never regained consciousness.

Turfway Park established the Michael F. Rowland Fund, as well as the Michael F. Rowland Award to honor the jockey who best exemplifies Rowland's work ethic, professionalism, and perseverance. The inaugural award recipient was Luis Antonio Gonzalez, a jockey based at Thistledown near Cleveland. Thistledown

Thistledown (racecourse)

Thistledown is a thoroughbred race track in North Randall, Ohio at the outskirts of the city of Cleveland. It is owned by Harrah's Entertainment.-History and Information:...

racecourse has also started a memorial fund for the Rowland family.
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