jockeys

About a year before Drayden Van Dyke won the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint aboard Soul of An Angel (Atreides), no one would have thought he was about to win any sort of major race. His career in shambles, he went 5-for-136 in 2023, and he knew it would not be easy to bounce back. But the story changed. It's now about perseverance. Van Dyke is in Florida, getting ready for the Championship Meet at Gulfstream. His mental health has improved dramatically and, most importantly he is winning...

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...

Registration is open for the International Jockey Concussion, Safety and Wellness Conference, which is set for October 9-11 at Fasig-Tipton's Lexington location, HISA said in a tweet on Thursday. The event is presented by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Jockeys' Guild of America. According to the HISA website, the agenda will focus on mental wellness, concussion and medical issues affecting athletes with a particular focus on Thoroughbred jockeys. The event includes international speakers and features presentations from Dr. Margot Putukian, Chief Medical Officer at Major League...

Jockeys from all over the UK helped facilitate public engagement, especially with young people, during the fourth annual National Racehorse Week from Sept. 7-15. The week-long event is a nationwide celebration of the thoroughbred racehorse, giving the public a chance to attend 100+ free events. Over 13,800 free spaces at events were made available to the public and an additional 4,000 people are engaged through the 50 community events which have been taking place, 10 of which being school visits. Helping with an inner-city experience, jump jockey Charlie Todd visited...

Ellis Park will host 'Breakfast with the Works', a family-friendly behind-the-scenes look at morning training ahead of the upcoming race meet. The free event, held Saturday, June 29 from 7-9:30 a.m., will include complimentary coffee and donuts while allowing guests an up-close look at horses during the morning training session. Guests will also be able to speak with local trainers who will be on site and register to win a signed Ellis Park saddle towel.

'Woodbine: Free Rein', a documentary series produced about womens' experiences in horse racing, has taken top honors at the Hashtag Sports Awards in New York, according to a release from the Woodbine communications office. Woodbine's content team, including producers Alanna Nolan and Nathan Riddell and director Jake Thompson, were recognized in the 'Best Women's Sports Content' category for episode four of 'Free Rein', entitled, The World-Class Women of Woodbine. The episode focused on the unique nature of horse racing, where women jockeys compete head-to-head with their male counterparts as well...

Last Sunday, Apr. 21, the sixth annual PDJF Telethon shattered the previous record when the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund raised over $430,000, FanDuel TV said in Wednesday release. Presented by Lane's End Farm, the telethon was broadcast for the third consecutive year on FanDuel TV and FOX Sports's America's Day at the Races. The event, which brings Hall of Fame jockeys, FanDuel TV's on-air talent and other prominent racing personalities together to man the phone lines, has grown each year since the inception in 2018. "The PDJF is very appreciative...

Joe Clabes is the new Executive Director of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, the organization announced Monday. Clabes joins current PDJF President Nancy LaSala and will oversee "finance, technology, internal operations and controls along with disbursement of benefits to disabled jockeys." "We are thrilled to welcome Joe as the new Executive Director of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund," said William J. Punk, Jr, Chairperson of the PDJF Board of Directors. "Joe has strong leadership and management skills and is dedicated to supporting the needs of disabled jockeys." "I am honored...

A time honored tradition dating back more than five decades, the 54th annual Santa Anita Jockeys vs. Holy Angels Middle School Charity Basketball Game will be held Monday, Feb. 26 at La Salle High School in Pasadena, Ca. The La Salle High gymnasium will open to the public at 6 p.m. and tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Admission tickets will be available on-site and a $5 donation will generate proceeds to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF) and Holy Angels athletics. A distinguished group of Hall of Fame jockeys...

Hall of Famer Bobby Ussery, whose many accomplishments in the saddle included a victory aboard Proud Clarion in the 1967 Kentucky Derby, has passed away, it was reported Friday by the Gulfstream Park media team. He was 88. Gulfstream reported that Ussery, a native of Vian, Oklahoma, was in Florida at the time of his passing. His son, Robert Ussery Jr. told the Daily Racing Form that his father died earlier this week of congestive heart failure and was living in Hollywood, Florida, at the time. Sports Illustrated called Ussery's...

Each year, the jockey colony at Horseshoe Indianapolis comes together and brings in toys for less fortunate children in Shelby County. This year, the jockeys brought in a total of 83 toys which will be delivered to Court Appointed State Advocates (CASA). The toys will then be dispersed to kids in the local community who will have a little brighter Christmas thanks to the efforts of more than 30 jockeys at Horseshoe Indianapolis. "This is very special to all of us," said Leading Jockey Joe Ramos, who brought in multiple...

Edited Press Release Kentucky Educational Television (KET), a state network of PBS member stations serving the Commonwealth of Kentucky, will air 'The Legacy of Black Horsemen' an hour-long documentary that details the story of Black jockeys, trainers, grooms and exercisers in the 1800s who played an important role in the Thoroughbred industry. The program documents how Black horsemen were subjected to discrimination and cruelty throughout much of their lives. During slavery, many won the faith of their white owners and were trusted with major financial and horse training decisions. In...