Jockeys and Jeans, a volunteer group dedicated to raising funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), today named Caesars Entertainment Inc. Vice President of Racing Joe Morris an official Jockeys and Jeans Ambassador. In this role, Morris will advocate for wounded jockeys' financial support, make known the inherent dangers of racing, and help in jockey recovery.
Morris joins the Executive Director of the Indiana Horsemen's Protective and Benevolent Association and Jockeys and Jeans 2021 Man of the Year Brian Elmore as well as Hall of Fame Jockeys Ron Turcotte, Laffit Pincay Jr, Chris McCarron, Jorge Velasquez, Mike Smith and Javier Castellano as Jockeys and Jeans ambassadors.
“It's hard putting into context what this level of participation means to horse racing's fallen heroes,” said Barry Pearl, President of Jockeys and Jeans. “It's more than a response to a huge human need and desire to make a difference. It's the recognition by leaders of another major corporation that the advocacy of former injured riders is one of the most significant in the entire horse racing industry and of which Morris knows firsthand as one of the most successful executives this sport has produced.”
Morris was instrumental in Caesars Entertainment becoming the named sponsor of the Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser on September 11, 2021, at Monmouth Park. Caesars Entertainment will also be the title sponsor of the Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser this summer at Churchill Downs.
The love for horse racing developed early for Morris when he went to work on his uncle's harness horse breeding farm in Maine at the age of 12. After graduating from the University of Maine, Morris dove into the horse racing industry and built his experience through many roles. From president of Thoroughbred Owners of California to chief financial officer and vice president at New Hampshire's former Hinsdale Raceway and more, Morris crafted his industry knowledge before eventually taking on his current role of senior vice president of racing for Caesars Entertainment.
Morris oversees all operations at Caesars' five racetracks, which under his leadership have each set wagering records.
“The importance of the safety and wellbeing of our human and equine athletes is of the utmost importance,” said Joe Morris Jr., Senior Vice President of Racing at Caesars Entertainment. “At Caesars, we believe everyone in our industry should be active in financially assisting our fallen riders and we're honored to take a leadership role with Jockeys and Jeans to support the PDJF and our disabled riders.”
Jockeys and Jeans was founded in late 2014. It holds an annual stallion season sale, fundraising event and to date the all-volunteer group has raised over $2 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The charity provides a monthly stipend of $1,000 to 60 jockeys who suffered career ending racing injuries, about 40 of whom are either paraplegic or quadriplegics.
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