Quarter Horse Jockey Thompson Dies

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Jockey Sam Thompson, who was injured during a spill at Los Alamitos Dec. 20, died at 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 25. Since the accident, Thompson was on life support in the coronary care unit at Los Alamitos Medical Center. When he began to fail, the decision was made to remove the life support. He was 36.

"Sam wanted his organs to be donated," said Kristen Watanabe, Thompson's girlfriend for 11 years. "His kidneys were removed and someone will be getting those. His mother, Gloria Thompson, (trainer) Donna McArthur, and I were there with him. It was very peaceful.

"On the night of the accident I was torn apart," Watanabe added. "If he would have passed away on that night, it would have been so difficult. They resuscitated him twice and I feel like he came back to give us an opportunity to prepare. His mother had an opportunity to come (from Maryland) to see him and so did his dad and brother. We were all able to say goodbye to him in the proper fashion. Everyone has been so wonderful in the support that they've given us. I'd like to thank them for being there for us during this time."

Thompson is survived by his mother Gloria Thompson, father Harold Thompson, step-mother Cathy Thompson, brother Eric and sister Kim, and niece Jaime.
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