The Jockeys' Guild held its Annual Meeting virtually again this year on Dec. 7, 2021. The virtual meeting was attended by active Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockeys from around the country.
The highlights included a synopsis of the short film THE FALL by Equine Productions' Visual Director Nathan Horrocks, who co-directed the feature with Cold Feet star Robert Bathurst. Horrocks has been in racing most of his life and has witnessed firsthand the mental health challenges that jockeys face on a daily basis. His hope is to raise awareness of the mental health struggles within the sport of racing and let jockeys know they do not have to suffer in silence.
Racing advocate and long-time supporter of the jockeys Sen. Damon Thayer (KY-R) addressed the members on the compromise he was instrumental in accomplishing in Kentucky regarding the use of the riding crop, as well as the increase in losing mount fees at select tracks. His involvement, as well as his continued support, is invaluable.
Dr. David Lambert B.V.Sc. (Hons.), M.R.C.V.S, President and Founder of Equine Analysis, in Midway, Kentucky, presented “21st Century Solutions: Stopping Horses From Breaking Down.” The system, known as Stride Safe, employs sensors, which are placed in saddle towels, to track the movements of the horse and gather data which can be used to protect horses, and in turn, jockeys from life-threatening injuries. The system is currently being utilized at NYRA.
Ann McGovern, director of Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (“HISA”) Racetrack Safety standing committee, provided the jockeys with an update about the current status of the proposed racetrack safety rules, which have been formally submitted to the Federal Trade Commission. She also advised members about the intent of the Authority to provide regulations assuring for the safety of the horses, thereby, improving the safety of the jockeys. Jockeys voiced their concerns regarding changes that have occurred with racing, as well as their ongoing worry with regards to the safety issues created by the restrictive use of the riding crop and the penalties being proposed by HISA. The Jockeys' Guild will submit public comments to the FTC and encouraged others to do so as well.
Nancy LaSala, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (“PDJF”) President, and PDJF Board Member and horse owner/breeder Paul Braverman gave an update on the PDJF. Mr. Braverman emphasized that the PDJF has made a commitment to the disabled jockeys for the rest of their lives, yet there is no committed source of funding from the industry. Like many other non-profit organizations, COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their customary fundraising efforts and was a stark reminder of the need for institutional funding. In response to horse owner's requests, the PDJF has created a new initiative called “Rider's Up” that has the full support of the PDJF Board and has been presented to many industry stakeholders. The PDJF is hopeful that contributions generated from the Rider's Up Initiative by horse owners will enable the PDJF to increase its monthly stipends to recipients who have suffered career-ending catastrophic injuries.
In support of this worthy cause, the Jockeys' Guild Senate members voted to adopt a new policy, whereby winning Jockeys' Guild members of races with purses over $70,000 will contribute 0.005 percent of their earnings, capped at $200. This would be a separate program from the “one dollar program” that is already in place and would continue to be offered at the tracks that do not offer purses of $70,000 or more. Like the horse owners program, the jockeys will have the ability to opt-out. The Guild Senate formally adopted this proposal to support the PDJF's Riders Up initiative with the intent of encouraging the horsemen organizations to follow suit, such that both the winning owner and winning jockey can help to make a critical impact on the welfare of these disabled riders. It should be noted that many active jockeys already contribute money and their time to the PDJF, as well as donations to other jockeys who are injured.
The riders in attendance re-elected John Velazquez and Mike Smith as Co-chairmen, Javier Castellano and Julien Leparoux, along with newly elected Quarter Horse jockey James Flores, as Vice-Chairs, Joel Campbell as Treasurer and Rodney Prescott as Secretary. In addition, Alex Birzer, Joe Bravo, and Drayden Van Dyke were re-elected to the Board of Directors.
In a closed session, the members reviewed 2021 financials and the 2022 budget.
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