PDJF

The Breeders' Cup is in the midst of its "40 Days of Giving" program that puts key Thoroughbred industry charities in a collective spotlight with a fundraising twist: This year's initiative involves a money-matching effort in which donors selected by each charity will match up to $1,000 raised by the general public on that charity's designated day. On the final day of the drive, the Breeders' Cup itself will match up to $20,000 in donations, with funds raised on that 40th day to be distributed evenly to all participating charities....

Delaware Park Casino & Racing, the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, the Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund and the Delaware Park Jockeys Association teamed up Saturday to donate $20,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The check was presented after the tenth race at Delaware Park Saturday. Over the course of the live racing season, each jockey donates a dollar from each mount fee and Delaware Park Casino & Racing, the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund each match the dollar. The...

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...

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,...

With 20 questions and a tiebreaker facing contest participants, entries are now open for the 2023 Thoroughbred Idea Foundation Derby Prop Contest, the organization said in a release Wednesday. The entry portal closes at 11:00 a.m. E.T. this Saturday, May 6. Players should keep track of their answers as you will not be able to revisit the survey portal once you submit your entry. Should a horse named directly in a prop be scratched, all answers to that prop may be counted as correct. Winners will be notified by email...

The fifth annual PDJF Telethon, presented by Lane's End Farm, raised over $300,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund Apr. 23. Since the inaugural telethon in 2018, over $1.5 million has been raised to support jockeys who have suffered serious on-track injuries. "When everyone in the sport comes together, good things can happen," said Kevin Grigsby, FanDuel TV executive producer. "We are grateful to our industry partners at Keeneland, Santa Anita and NYRA for their collaborative efforts to make this event a success. We are proud of all that we...

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....

Jockeys and Jeans is set to host its ninth annual fundraiser at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 24 at 7 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with a host of Hall of Fame Jockeys, enjoy a seated dinner, and bid on unique racing memorabilia and other valuable prizes in both a silent and live auction. "This year's event represents an historic step in our evolution," said Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl. "We hope to set a record for funds raised at a...

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...