Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

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,...

SARATOGA SPINGS, N.Y. - It's 'Post Time' for the 97th running of the $1-million GI Whitney Stakes. Well, actually, the race is still a week away, but if you are trainer Brittany Russell, you're darn right it's Post Time. As in Post Time (Frosted), the 4-year-old colt that will make a return trip to Saratoga Race Course. Last month, Post Time, owned by Hillwood Stable, LLC, won the race for second in the GI Metropolitan Handicap. Post Time beat Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft) by a neck. No one was going...

The 12th annual 'Riders Up!' jockey karaoke contest, benefitting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), returns on Sunday, July 28 at Vapor Night Club in Saratoga Springs, the non-profit said in a Thursday press release. As in previous years, the Saratoga contest will be part of the Battle of East-vs-West with the Del Mar event being held on Aug. 11. Famed track announcer Tom Durkin returns as emcee, and this year's judges include Donna Brothers, Marisa Jacques, Mark Mulholland and Father Jim Sichko. Click here for more information.

The 15th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, this year in partnership with the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, will be played Aug. 1 at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center beginnning at 7 p.m. The jockey team will once again be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr., with trainer Todd Pletcher and agent Kiaran McLaughlin coaching the horsemen team. Mitch Levites of the NYRA TV department will once again serve as the game's announcer. "This annual game is...

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...

Breeders' Cup has launched its 40 Days of Giving, a fundraising program that puts key Thoroughbred industry charities in the spotlight as the countdown continues to the 40th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park, the organization said in a release Thursday. Designed to raise funds for a variety of important causes within the Thoroughbred industry, Breeders' Cup Charities' 40 Days of Giving campaign highlights the vital work of nonprofits in the following areas: aftercare, jockey health and wellness, backstretch and industry workers, equine...

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...