Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

Fair Grounds Race Course will host its inaugural Jockeys Dinner and Awards, highlighted by a public meet-and-greet with members of the Fair Grounds jockey colony, Jan. 7. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The Jockeys Dinner and Awards will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. CT in the fourth-floor clubhouse, followed by a meet-and-greet from 7 to 8 p.m. The meet-and-greet is open to the public and offers fans the chance to interact with the jockeys. The evening will feature the presentation of the...

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) has appointed Craig Bandoroff and Ken Freirich to its board of directors, the organization said via a Wednesday press release. Craig Bandoroff, founder of Denali Stud in Paris, Kentucky and a former jockey, is a well-respected leader in the Thoroughbred industry. "I am very pleased to be asked to serve on the board of the PDJF," said Bandoroff. "It is an organization that means a lot to me for some obvious reasons. These riders gave everything to our benefit and for horse racing." Ken...

The 13th edition of the Riders Up! East vs. West Jockey Karaoke contest kicked off to great success in Saratoga, and raised over $100,000 at the conclusion of the festivities, announced the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Leading a competition reportedly as fierce as anything on the track, Michael and Matthew Straight commanded the crowd with their performance of "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers. They had the crowd on their feet and singing along, and the brothers left their competition in their wake as they secured a double by...

The 16th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, as well as the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, will be played Aug. 6 at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center beginning at 7 p.m. The jockey team will once again be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr. Assisting him on the sidelines this year will be Taaj Ridley, the head of player development and assistant coach for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League. The horsemen's team will be...

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF)'s 2025 Saratoga Summer Event Series will feature three evenings of food, community, and philanthropy. The events directly support TRF's mission of providing dignified lifetime care for retired Thoroughbreds and offering life-changing opportunities through its TRF Second Chances Program. Gumbo with Kendrick Date: Monday, July 21 Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: Principessa Elena Society, 13 Oak Street, Saratoga Springs, NY Now in its fifth year, this fan-favorite dinner brings beloved jockey Kendrick Carmouche back to the kitchen to prepare his signature Louisiana gumbo. Guests...

Former jockey Armando Rivera will highlight the mission of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), which provides financial assistance to jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries, by racing in the Run the Bluegrass half-marathon May 17. Rivera is a paraplegic athlete and advocate for the PDJF. He has competed in over 50 races across the country and will race Saturday in his wheelchair. The half-marathon begins Saturday at 7 a.m. at Talon Winery in Southern Fayette County. Rivera participates to show his commitment to supporting his fellow injured riders.

The Thoroughbred racing industry joined forces on Saturday, Apr. 19 for the seventh annual PDJF Telethon to raise over $445,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), the organization said through a Wednesday press release by FanDuel TV. The fundraiser was presented by Lane's End Farm and broadcast on both FanDuel TV and America's Day at the Races on the FOX Sports family of networks. "This event is one that we all look forward to every year," said FanDuel TV's General Manager of Racing Andrew Moore. "This event showcases the...

The 55th annual Santa Anita Jockeys vs. Holy Angels Middle School Charity Basketball Game is set for Thursday at La Salle High School in Pasadena. The La Salle High gymnasium will open to the public at 6 p.m. and tip-off is set for 7 p.m. The Santa Anita jockeys' roster includes five of the top 10 riders at the Classic Meet: Juan Hernandez, Hector Berrios, Armando Ayuso, Kyle Frey and Edwin Maldonado. Leading the squad is coach Luis Jauregui, a veteran of the Holy Angels match-ups when a Santa Anita...

From February 2024 to February 2025, Jockeys and Jeans raised a one-year record of $453,760 to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The 10th annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser for PDJF at Gulfstream Park Jan. 11 raised $292,000, while the Jockeys and Jeans January 2024 Stallion Season Sale raised a record of $94,560, and the recently concluded Quarter Horse Season Sale, operated by committee member and Quarter Horse jockey legend, G.R. Carter, raised an additional $67,200. "The Gulfstream Park event was a total group effort and our committee worked at...

Angel Cordero, Jerry Bailey, Steve Cauthen, Julie Krone, Edgar Prado, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay, Ramon Dominguez, Jean Cruguet and Chris McCarron are just a few of the names confirmed to attend the 10th annual Jockeys and Jeans event at Gulfstream Park Jan. 11. Proceeds from the event go to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Other riders confirmed to attend include Jose Santos, Jorge Velasquez, Earlie Fires, Alex Solis, Bill Boland, Mike Manganello and current riders John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Joel Rosario. The event, to be held in the...

Jockeys and Jeans, an all-volunteer group that has raised $3.4 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, has named Mike Joyce its 2024 Person of Year. He will accept the award and speak about the need to aid disabled former jockeys during Jockeys and Jeans 10th annual event, at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Jan. 11. "I was reluctant to accept the award because as a board member of the PDJF, I feel like the work we do is our responsibility to the riders that risk their life every day for...

The 12th annual jockey karaoke contest held July 25 in Saratoga Springs raised over $140,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and the second half of the event is scheduled for next Sunday, Aug. 11 at Del Mar, the non-profit said in a release on Thursday. The competition between the jockeys at the Spa included judges Jayson Werth and Father Jim Sichko. Famed track announcer Tom Durkin once again served as emcee. Sponsors who made the event possible included 1/ST Bet, Godolphin, Donegal Racing, NYRA, Centennial Farms, Michael Imperio,...