UNDATED: Bill Shoemaker.

<a href=www.sfgate.com>SFGate.com Tuesday, April 29, 2003 (04-29) 16:03 PDT (AP) --

Pincay broke the cervical 2 bone in his neck, one of the uppermost seven vertebrae of the spine.

His family, including wife Jeanine and his two grown children Lisa and Laffit III, had urged him to retire after the accident. Pincay also has a 6-year-old son, Jean-Laffit.

"The doctor recommended that I never ride again," Pincay said in a statement. "It's a very sad day for myself and Jeanine. But we always prepared ourselves for the worst.

"I am very grateful to a lot of people who helped me throughout my career and I want to thank the fans for all the cards and well wishes. And I want to thank all my friends for their support."

Pincay was supposed to be in Louisville on Saturday to ride Indian Express for trainer Bob Baffert in the Kentucky Derby. He had recommended that Baffert purchase the horse that is from Panama.

The son of a famous rider in Panama and Venezuela, Pincay came to the United States at 17, speaking only Spanish and carrying a $500-a-month riding contract. He taught himself English by watching "Hollywood Squares" on TV.

He reached the winner's circle on his first U.S. mount, in 1966 at Chicago's Arlington Park.

What was most exceptional about Pincay's longevity was his ability to control his weight.

He battled the scale since he was a teenager. Back then, he was told he was too big to be a jockey. He weighs 113 pounds and rode at 117 pounds, which included his saddle and tack.

Pincay's final injury was one of many in his career. He broke his collarbone 11 times, broke 10 ribs, had two spinal fractures, two punctured lungs, two broken thumbs and a sprained ankle.