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 they arranged for some 12 to 16 Hall of Fame Jockeys to attend and honor their wheelchair bound “brothers and sisters.'”
“Barry has organizational and sales skills far beyond my gifting,” said Vice President Eddie Donnally. “We would never have had this level of success without him at the helm. He embraced the cause for aiding disabled former jockeys and for him Jockeys and Jeans was a full-time job for at least six months out of the last nine years.”
Pearl indicated he stay on as an advisor and help with the transition.
“I hope the PDJF will embrace Jockeys and Jeans and keep it going,” said Pearl. “In the last nine years, I have met so many great people, fallen riders, Hall of Fame members and folks that truly care about jockeys who are now riding wheelchairs. It's been a good run, but it's time for me to hang up my tack.”
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