Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

Racetracks and jockey colonies across the country will join forces Saturday to recognize National Disability Independence Day and raise awareness and funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Jockeys are expected to participate in various activities to support the PDJF while wearing armbands and ribbons saluting National Disability Independence Day, which marks the 33th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Passed by Congress in 1990 and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the ADA banned discrimination based on disability in all parts...

On Saturday, July 29, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will pay tribute to the jockey colony at Saratoga Race Course while also raising funds for their cause with the launch and sale of jockey trading cards on Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund (PDJF) Awareness Day, the organization said in a release Saturday. In recognition of the non-profit organization's fundraising awareness day, which is observed annually at race tracks across the U.S., fans will be given the opportunity to purchase a pack of five jockey trading cards for $5, with...

GMP Farm in Schuylerville, New York, will host a special performance of Robert Montano's Off-Broadway show "Small" on July 18. All proceeds benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund (PDJF). The acclaimed one-man show was written and performed by Montano, who shares his autobiographical story of his transformation from a tiny, bullied PuertoRican/Italian boy who just wanted to dance, to an apprentice jockey learning the culture of the racetrack, to a professional rider, to self-destructive addict trying to maintain the rigorous demands of jockey life, and finally to Broadway, Hollywood and...

President of Jockeys and Jeans Barry Pearl has officially retired. The 76-year-old headed the annual event that has raised $3.1 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund in their nine-year history. A former jockey, Pearl later became the track photographer at Penn National Racetrack and then a top salesperson for West Publishing. He retired in 2009 and moved to Juno Beach Florida with his wife Dee. Hall of Fame Jockey Sandy Hawley, who along with his wife Karou, oversaw relationships with Hall of Fame Jockeys has also resigned. Each year...

The ninth annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas June 24 to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) set a record of over $400,000, the organization said in a release Thursday. The previous record was $340,000 last year at Churchill Downs. To-date, the total raised by the group is $3.1 million, including the $110,000 accepted during the 2022 stallion season sale. "It is impossible to sufficiently thank all the staff who at the beginning promised to 'Vegas-Size' the event," said Jockeys and Jeans President Barry...

The ninth annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) will feature a live streamed speech from Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, the Jockeys and Jeans Person of the Year. The speech will be broadcast from Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas this coming Saturday, June 24, at 8:30 p.m. PT/11:30 p.m. ET on the Jockeys and Jeans Facebook page. "Mattress Mack has always advocated for the safety of riders and horses and is one of very few who understands horse racing from the perspective of an owner,...

Hall of Fame riders Sandy Hawley, Chris McCarron, Mike Smith and John Velazquez, among many others, will team with FanDuel TV, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), Keeneland and Santa Anita on Sunday, Apr. 23rd for the fifth annual telethon to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), presented by Lane's End. The event will be broadcast on both FanDuel TV and America's Day at the Races in collaboration with NYRA and FOX Sports as well as livestreamed. Fans can participate by calling 1-844-884-7353 between 12:00 p.m....

Turfway Park and Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment have announced an extension to their partnership and will remain the presenting sponsor of the $700,000 GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks for an additional five years. Since 2018, Jeff Ruby has been the presenting sponsor of the Jeff Ruby Steaks. The race annually serves as a major steppingstone on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and produced last year's winner of the GI Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike. This year's 52nd running of the 1 1/8-mile event will take place Saturday, Mar. 25. "Turfway Park...

Tracks across the country will hold a moment of silence Feb. 18 in memory of the late jockey Avery Whisman. The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, in coordination with racetracks across the country, is leading the initiative in an effort to shed light on mental health awareness and the challenges jockeys face. Jockeys at all participating tracks will wear black armbands in tribute to Whisman, who died suddenly Jan. 11 at the age of 23 following a prolonged struggle with the physical and mental demands placed on riders. The 1/ST properties:...

After a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Santa Anita's 53rd annual Charity Basketball Game versus Holy Angels Middle School will return to La Salle High School in Pasadena Thursday, Feb. 16. A distinguished group of Hall of Fame Jockeys will be on-hand beginning at 6:30 p.m. to sign posters and other memorabilia in the La Salle gym. Retired legends Laffit Pincay, Jr. and Gary Stevens will be available, as well as active Hall of Famers Kent Desormeaux, Victor Espinoza, Mike Smith and John Velazquez. Admission to the game...

The seventh annual sale of stallion breeding seasons--which ended Jan. 25 to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund--raised $112,050 compared to $72,500 in 2022. The sale marked revenue increases in both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse stallion seasons with increases more pronounced in the Quarter Horse breeding industry, accounting for $71,500 of the total proceeds. The seasons were donated by breeders in six states, including several leading farms in Central Kentucky. To date, the sale has raised over $600,000 for the PDJF. "The season donors as well as the buyers...

Jockey Avery Whisman, who rode in the Mid-Atlantic region after beginning his career in 2018, passed away Wednesday at the age of 23 after what his family described as a "prolonged illness." He was at his parents' home in Versailles, Kentucky at the time of his passing. Whisman had not ridden since accepting mounts Aug. 23 at Presque Isle Downs. Though Whisman had been ill, his mother, Salli, described his passing as "a sudden an unexcepted event." "He absolutely loved the sport," Salli Whisman said. "He was an incredible horseman....