Shoemaker Condition Serious : Horse racing: Car crash leaves all-time winningest jockey with neck injury, partial paralysis.

Bill Shoemaker, racing’s winningest jockey, was in serious condition and partially paralyzed Tuesday after a car accident in which authorities said he was under the influence of alcohol.

Shoemaker, whose career as a rider ended with his retirement last year, suffered a fracture dislocation of his neck and paralysis to undisclosed parts of his body in the Monday night accident, said Dennis Richards, Inter-Community Medical Center spokesman, reading from a statement by Shoemaker’s wife, Cindy.

Shoemaker, who earlier was listed in critical condition, was transferred Tuesday afternoon to Centinela Hospital Medical Center, a facility known for its expertise in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery. Richards said Shoemaker’s family and personal physician requested the transfer but refused to release any further information about his injuries.

The 59-year-old Shoemaker, now a trainer at Santa Anita, underwent surgery at Glendora Community Hospital shortly after the crash and was transferred about 5:45 a.m. to Inter-Community.

He was alone in his 1990 Ford Bronco II when the vehicle suddenly veered to the right, careened over the side of State Route 30 and tumbled down a 50-foot embankment, said California Highway Patrol officer Joe Flores. Witnesses said the vehicle appeared to be traveling at about 55 mph.

“It rolled over several times and landed on its wheels,” Flores said. “It appears to have rolled over at least two times.”

Authorities said the accident occurred about 8:30 p.m. near San Dimas, about 30 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, on a connector road to the southbound 210 Freeway. The CHP issued a warrant for Shoemaker’s arrest.

“We think he was under the influence of alcohol because there was an odor of alcohol on his person,” said Flores, adding that results of a blood-alcohol test performed immediately after the accident won’t be available for about two weeks.

The mood was somber at Santa Anita, where a statue commemorates Shoemaker’s racing feats. He rode a record 2,544 winners there.

“He’s tough,” said trainer Charlie Whittingham, whom Shoemaker gave a Kentucky Derby victory in 1986 aboard Ferdinand. “He may be little, but he’s very tough.”

As a jockey, the 4-foot-11 Shoemaker weighed 98 pounds. When he was born in 1931, he was given little chance of survival because of his size.

“Right from the start people said he wasn’t going to make it,” said Dan Smith, who co-authored Shoemaker’s 1975 autobiography, “The Shoe.”

“He’s been fighting that all his life. That will assist him greatly in his recovery.”

Shoemaker’s riding career was remarkably injury-free. The last serious mishap he was involved in occurred in 1969, when he suffered a broken pelvis and ruptured spleen in a paddock accident at Hollywood Park.

He was treated then at Centinela.

The final race of Shoemaker’s 41-year career came at Santa Anita Feb. 3, 1990, in an event billed as “The Legend’s Last Ride.”

Years earlier, Shoemaker emerged as the pre-eminent thoroughbred rider with four Kentucky Derby victories and five in the Belmont Stakes. His victory on Ferdinand at 54 made him the oldest Derby winner.

Shoemaker also won the Derby aboard Swaps in 1955, Tomy Lee in 1959 and Lucky Debonair in 1965.

A native of Fabens, Tex., Shoemaker won 8,833 races and his mounts earned $123,375,524--records many believe will be impossible to surpass.

He won his first race on April 20, 1949, at Golden Gate Fields aboard Shafter V. His final victory came Jan. 20, 1990, at Gulfstream Park aboard Beau Genius.

Even before his riding career ended, Shoemaker laid plans to start his own stable, having learned from his years of association with the sport’s best trainers.

His stable has grown quickly, from a dozen horses when he began last May to more than 30.