MANSFIELD (KFSM)- Jacky Martin was a legendary quarter horse jockey, who was raised in Mansfield.
Eva Hubbard is his ex-wife and was with Martin for 16 years as he grew to become of the greats of the sport.
"We were high school sweethearts,” Hubbard said. “We went from sleeping in the car to flying on a jet."
Hubbard said Martin set and broke records across the country.
“It's just unbelievable the talent, the natural ability that Jacky had,” she said.
Martin graduated from Mansfield High School in the 1970's and about 40 years later his life changed forever.
“He got hurt three-and-a-half years ago,” Hubbard said. “He was on a horse that won the All-American [Horse Classic]. That would have made his 8th All-American," Hubbard said.
Hubbard said the horse went down.
“[Martin] hurt his neck and it didn't sever his spinal cord, but did severe damage," she said. "He's been a quadriplegic for three-and-a-half years."
Hubbard said Martin started rehabilitation, but died on April 4 at 60 at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“He was on a ventilator, his heart just quit beating,” she said.
A small town kid turn world legend, Hubbard said it was Martin's talent and love for the sport that landed him in the record books.
Martin's family will be holding a memorial for him on May 2 in Mansfield. There will also be separate memorials held for Martin at the Remington Park Race Track in Oklahoma City and at the Ruidoso Downs Race Track in New Mexico.