Following the retirement of its long time President Barry Pearl, the Jockeys and Jeans committee has elected new officers, refilled vacant task assignments, and is planning its Eighth Stallion Season Sale and negotiating with several tracks on hosting its 10th annual fundraising event.
Their last event, at Caesars Palace on June 24th raised a group record of $427,000, bringing the total raised for Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund to $3.6 million.
The all-volunteer group made Corey Johnsen its newest Ambassador. A long-time donor, track owner and manager, and now a thoroughbred owner and breeder will provide advice to the committee and continue to advocate for the cause of aiding disabled former jockeys. He joins Brian Elmore, Executive Director of the Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association and Joe Morris, Vice President of Racing for Caesars Entertainment, as the three non-jockey Ambassadors. Randy Sampson, CEO and Board Chairman of Canterbury Park, serves as a committee member.
The committee elected Vice President Dr. Eddie Donnally as Interim President. He was one of five former jockeys who founded the group, and he named it Jockeys and Jeans. During the fall of 2014, former jockey and committee member Darrell Brown called Donnally suggesting a jockeys' reunion at Tampa Bay Downs. Donnally decided to turn it into a fundraiser for Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and called friend and former jockey Barry Pearl who immediately joined the group.
“I served as president the first year and it became obvious, Pearl possessed far superior organizational and sales skills than I, so I suggested the committee make him president. Calling him was easily one of the best decisions of my life and we can't thank him enough for his nine years of leadership and the thousands of hours he donated.”
Donnally said Pearl left the committee with an extensively detailed database and is consistently available for consultation. Donnally, 80, holds a Doctorate in Ministry, is a former Eclipse Award winning horseracing writer for the Dallas Morning News, the author of three books and still works part-time as a Hospital Chaplain in New Orleans. As before, he is looking for his replacement as president.
“I am persistent and have had passion for this cause since we started,” he said. “I've arranged my life to devote far more time and effort. But I am just one member of an experienced and dedicated crew, and each feels strongly we should remain intact and continue our work. Until my replacement is found, I am dedicated to our success.”
Maureen Brown, Darrell Brown's wife, becomes Vice President of Operations and will assist with the day-to-day tasks. Kenny Katz who along with Harvey Kacer oversaw the event's auctions and is with Hall of Fame and other top jockeys when they sign elite memorabilia, becomes the head of Relationships with Hall of Fame Riders. He replaces Hall of Fame rider Sandy Hawley and his wife and former jockey Karou Tsuchiya who retired. They brought an average of 14 Hall of Fame Jockeys to each fundraising event and have become official Ambassadors. “We have long advocated for Jockeys and Jeans and PDJF,” said Hawley. “No matter where we go, we'll continue to do the same. We are here for the long term and as former jockeys we fortunately survived intact. We will always help those who did not.”
Katz and Kacer have traversed the nation producing elite signed memorabilia, which this year sold for some $100,000 at various PDJF fundraisers. Kacer will attend this year's Breeders Cup to secure memorabilia signatures. Katz will also hold his fourth Bobble Head sale, this time of Jose Ortez, at Gulfstream Park the week of February 14, 2024.
“The PDJF has enjoyed working with the Jockeys and Jeans Committee since the first event at Tampa Bay Downs and watching the efforts of this group grow,” said PDJF Director Nancy LaSala. “The success over the years is driven by the passion and support of so many who donate their time and talent to celebrate and raise awareness of permanently disabled jockeys. If not for our sport's great racing fans, donors, sponsors and our jockey racing legends, this success would not be possible. A special thanks to Barry Pearl for his many contributions and leadership of the committee over the years, we wish him and his wife, Dee all the best as they enjoy their retirement with family, friends, Florida sunshine, and a glass of wine.”
For more information contact Eddie Donnally at (818-653-3711) edjockeysandjeans@gmail.com or Maureen Brown (352 318-2118 maureen.jockeyandjeans@gmail.com
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