aaron gryder | Horse Racing Free Tips

Penn National Joins HeadCheck Jockey Health System, Moving Toward Uniform Mid-Atlantic Protocols

Penn National Race Course announced a new partnership with software company HeadCheck Health, Inc. ('HeadCheck') that will equip all staff with a customized system for optimizing concussion and injury management for jockeys within and between racetracks.

Horse racing is a sport that comes with an inherent risk for jockeys. The industry also faces challenges in implementing concussion and injury protocols. There are different resources available at each track, no national overseeing body to mandate requirements, independent state commissions and rules, and a transitory workforce of jockeys.

Since 2019, HeadCheck has worked with various industry stakeholders, customizing the platform to solve many of these issues. Though the program took a backseat to challenges related to COVID-19, it's been quietly continuing to adapt the system to be ready for expansion.

The journey so far has been marked by impressive collaboration and hard work between Dr. Kelly Ryan and the sports medicine team at MedStar Health, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Maryland Jockey Club, and Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Board.

“The implementation of the HeadCheck program by racetracks in the region is an important step toward protecting the health of jockeys,” said Aaron Gryder, Vice President, Industry Relations, 1/ST RACING. “As a retired jockey myself, I see the HeadCheck program as a key solution for elevating the standard of care by creating consistent medical and head-health monitoring for our athletes.”

HeadCheck is a secure HIPAA compliant system that will improve track management by allowing clear and immediate communication of suspected injuries and jockey health status. This program will help ensure nothing slips through the cracks and all jockeys receive appropriate care before returning to ride.

“We are proud to be joining this initiative and committed to the health and safety of our jockeys,” said Eric Johnston, Director of Racing Operations at Penn National Race Course.

HeadCheck's goals align with the industry's: provide a comprehensive system that will save time, reduce the risk of non-compliance to concussion and injury protocols, and improve outcomes for injured riders.

To learn more, visit headcheckhealth.com or contact Eric VanderHelm directly at evanderhelm@headcheckhealth.com or (604) 373-0035.

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Gryder Appointed 1/ST RACING VP of Industry Relations

Retired jockey Aaron Gryder has been appointed to the position of Vice President, Industry Relations for 1/ST RACING. Gryder will serve as a liaison between 1/ST RACING and industry stakeholders to help advance health, safety and rider reforms with a focus on jockey outreach. He will act as an ambassador for 1/ST RACING in California, Florida and Maryland.

Gryder, who will be based in Florida and, reports directly to Aidan Butler, 1/ST's chief operating officer. He will be a media spokesperson for the company and also a primary point of contact for horsemen stabled at 1/ST RACING venues.

“We are excited to welcome Aaron to the 1/ST RACING team in this vital new role,” said Butler. “Aaron's depth of experience as a professional jockey and work with industry stakeholders is a perfect connection to ensure our communications and relations between tracks, stakeholders and the public is transparent, detailed and consistent. His extensive knowledge of the racetrack is incredibly valuable as we continue to elevate our safety protocols and promote 1/ST RACING.”

Added Gryder: “I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with the forward-thinking team at 1/ST RACING to bring our sport into the future. As a jockey I conducted myself in a manner that displayed my love for the horses and respect for the great sport of horse racing. I will bring the same enthusiasm and work ethic that helped me to be successful throughout my career as a jockey to my new role.”

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Gryder Named Vice President, Industry Relations For 1/ST Racing

1/ST Racing announced the appointment of Aaron Gryder as the company's first vice president, industry relations. Gryder will serve as a key liaison between 1/ST Racing and industry stakeholders to advance health, safety and rider reforms with a particular focus on jockey outreach, and as an ambassador for 1/ST Racing in California, Florida and Maryland to support and advance the company's mission to further develop its world-class racing operations.

Gryder, based in Florida, will report directly to Aidan Butler, chief operating officer, 1/ST Racing, and will be a media spokesperson for the company. He will also act as a primary point of contact for horsemen who are stabled at 1/ST Racing venues.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to work with the forward-thinking team at 1/ST Racing to bring our sport into the future,” said Gryder. “As a jockey I conducted myself in a manner that displayed my love for the horses and respect for the great sport of horse racing. I will bring the same enthusiasm and work ethic that helped me to be successful throughout my career as a jockey to my new role.”

During a transformative time in horse racing, Gryder worked closely with 1/ST Racing to introduce and implement industry-leading health and safety protocols for horses and riders at Santa Anita Park. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked alongside Butler to bring the horse racing community at Santa Anita together to form North America's first sports bubble. This self-contained ecosystem allowed the hundreds of people who work on the backstretch, jockeys and essential racing personnel to keep the horses safe and active while protecting themselves, their livelihoods and the community.

Gryder is a highly respected retired jockey with over 4,000 race wins worldwide to his credit. He has wins in some of Thoroughbred racing's most prestigious stakes races, including the Dubai World Cup (2009) and the Breeders' Cup Marathon (2012). In addition to his decades long career as a professional athlete, Gryder has worked as an on-air analyst for ESPN, NBC Sports, Fox Sports, the TVG Network and HRTV. He has covered the worldwide broadcast of the Dubai World Cup and the Breeders' Cup and is widely regarded as an ambassador for the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing.

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Santa Anita Announces Five Finalists for Woolf Award

Santa Anita has announced a group of five finalists for the 2021 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, with the winner to be announced in February. One of the most prestigious awards for American jockeys, the Woolf Award, which is determined by a vote of jockeys nationwide, can only be won once.

Jockeys Alex Birzer, Jorge Martin Bourdieu, Kendrick Carmouche, Aaron Gryder and Deshawn Parker, veteran riders who have stood the test of time and have earned the respect of their peers and horsemen in various geographic regions, comprise 2021’s select group of Woolf finalists.

Presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950, the Woolf Award recognizes those riders whose careers and personal character garner esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing. The trophy is a replica of the life-sized statue of legendary Hall of Fame jockey George Woolf, which adorns Santa Anita’s Paddock Gardens area. The 2020 Woolf Award was won by Luis M. Quinones and the 2021 winner will become the 72nd jockey, dating back to Gordon Glisson in 1950, to be so honored.

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