Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser Set for January 10

An auction of no-guarantee Thoroughbred seasons to benefit Jockeys and Jeans will begin on Starquine.com Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 at 9 a.m. ET, and will run through Thursday, Jan. 12 at 9 p.m. The seasons will be previewed starting Jan. 9. Bidding on Quarter Horse seasons begins Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., and ends Thursday, Jan. 26 at 9:00 pm.

This is the only stallion season auction that brings together Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Stallions in one sale, and one in which all proceeds go to help former jockeys who suffered catastrophic, career-ending injuries.

The sale features stallions from Kentucky, Florida, New York, California, Texas, and other states. Since the all-volunteer Jockeys and Jeans was founded by a group of former jockeys in late 2014, it has raised $2.6 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, including over a half million through the sales of donated stallion seasons.

“Sadly, career-ending injuries happen to jockeys in both industries and this is a great example of the two coming together in a meaningful way to provide funding for those whose lives changed forever while riding races in a sport we all know and love,” said Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl.

The PDJF pays a monthly stipend of $1,000 to 60 riders from both industries who have suffered catastrophic career-ending injuries. Two-thirds of them are quadra- or paraplegics. “They gave a big part of their lives to a sport that made me and many others very successful,” said retired Quarter Horse jockey G.R. Carter. “And all of us owe it to them to give something back.”

Pearl noted today's increased cost of living has hit hard those on a fixed income, which includes nearly all PDJF beneficiaries. “It is no exaggeration to say that for many disabled former jockeys, that $1,000 each month helps keep a roof over their heads and puts food on their tables. But we are thankful so many generous people in both segments of horse racing have stepped up to prove that this is a single community, and one that genuinely cares.”

Contact Barry Pearl, jockeysandjeans@gmail.com, (717) 503-0182 or Eddie Donnally Edjockeysandjeans@gmail.com (818) 653-3711 for more information.

The post Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser Set for January 10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Jockeys and Jeans Stallion Season Sale Begins Jan. 10

The seventh Jockeys and Jeans Great American Stallion Season Sale to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund will be previewed on Starquine.com Jan. 9, with bidding beginning at 9 a.m. Jan. 10 and concluding 9 p.m. on Jan. 12. The sale includes both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse stallions based in states including Kentucky, Florida, New York, California, and Texas.

“Sadly, career-ending injuries happen to jockeys in both industries and this is a great example of the two coming together in a meaningful way to provide funding for those whose lives changed forever while participating in horse racing, a sport we all know and love.” said Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl.

The PDJF pays a monthly stipend of $1,000 to 60 riders from both industries who suffered catastrophic career-ending injuries. Two-thirds of them are now quadra or paraplegics.

This is the third year in which Quarter Horse seasons are being sold, solely through the efforts of the retired legendary Quarter Horse Jockey, G.R. Carter. Proceeds from Thoroughbred season sales slightly topped Quarter Horse seasons the first year, but last year Quarter Horse seasons took a slight lead.

“They gave a big part of their lives to a sport that made me and many others very successful,” said Carter. “And all of us owe it to them to give something back.”

The post Jockeys and Jeans Stallion Season Sale Begins Jan. 10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The Jockeys’ Guild: CHRB Whip Rules ‘Are Both Unsafe And Jeopardize The Integrity Of The Sport’

The Jockeys' Guild issued the following statement this weekend after the California Horse Racing Board passed a strict new rule regarding use of the riding crop during races.

The Jockeys' Guild is extremely disappointed by the actions taken by the California Horse Racing Board with regards to the riding crop. Specifically restricting the use of the riding crop to six times in the underhanded fashion throughout the entire race, as well as restricting the type of riding crop that can be used. The industry has a long history of disrespect for jockeys, going back many, many decades. That prevailing attitude was the main reason for the formation of the Guild in 1940. Incredibly, that disrespect continues to this day as evidenced by the CHRB Board and the Chairman failing to engage jockeys and the Guild in any meaningful dialogue. To completely ignore the pleas of the professional jockeys and the Guild, moving forward to adopt the two rules presented Thursday, which are both unsafe and jeopardize the integrity of the sport, is a dangerous precedent.

The jockeys put their lives on the line every day, not the members of the CHRB or those in direct opposition of our sport. And yet, the voices of respected Hall of Fame rider and Jockeys' Guild Co-Chairman Mike Smith, as well as world-renowned and all-time leading money earning Quarter Horse jockey, G.R. Carter, and veteran rider Aaron Gryder, not to mention all of the other California jockeys who voiced their concerns about the proposals, were completely disregarded.

The Guild is deeply troubled by the process. Starting in March of 2019, the Guild has crafted various proposals with regards to the riding crop, which were dismissed, overlooked, and sometimes not even acknowledged. Instead, the CHRB insisted on jamming through the rules rather than even considering the Guild's reasonable and compromising proposals.

Then to add insult to injury, the Chairman of the CHRB, Dr. Greg Ferraro, labeled the jockeys as part of the problem. Chairman Ferraro said, “We're never going to please the jocks. They don't want to do anything but keep the status quo.” Nothing could be further from the truth and is beyond offensive. Over the past decade, the Guild has worked with the other entities in the industry, including the CHRB, and has been more than willing to compromise on issues in the best interest of racing. The Guild was at the forefront of changes to the riding crop after the issues surrounding Eight Belles and the 2008 Kentucky Derby. Furthermore, as stated throughout the whole process, and again yesterday by representatives of the Guild, we completely recognize the need to change the existing use of riding crop rules. The Guild has actively been engaging in meetings throughout the country, not just in California, to establish a uniform rule.

The recent decision on the use of the riding crop is set to fail. It is based on the CHRB's response to perception and as opposed to doing what is right for the industry. The CHRB's decision was done to pacify the radical animal rights organizations and the individuals who have made clear of their intention to abolish racing. Additionally, the Manager of Policy and Regulations for the CHRB inferred that its role was about pleasing Sacramento. This speaks volumes about the CHRB's attitude and subsequent dismissal of what is in the best interest of racing and we believe definitely swayed the vote.

The CHRB Chairman and Board also disregarded statements from representatives of the Guild, as well as Aidan Butler of The Stronach Group, Nick Alexander of the TOC, and Alan Balch of CTT, asking for a limited extension before any adoption of the rule. These requests were made in the hopes of reaching a unified rule, created by all industry participants, which could be adopted throughout the United States. We strongly believe that the implementation of the CHRB rules as presented yesterday will have a detrimental impact on the entire industry, including the owners, betting public, racetracks, and horsemen.

Furthermore, the rule as adopted, only allows for the jockeys to use a crop with a cylinder popper, which as of now is only being made by one company. Its decision fails to consider the jockeys input, including the fact when the jockeys had used it during racing, many broke at the tip and poppers fell off during a race. This riding crop has also proved difficult to use when switching hands. Any proposed changes should have been fully evaluated in the “real world” to access the performance, as well as the effectiveness of the changes, just as has been done in the past. The Guild has repeatedly stated that we have been and will continue to be supportive of improvements made to the equipment, including the riding crops, whether it be the design or material, that are in the best interest of the horse. In order to move forward, the Guild had requested to allow for the use of the existing cushioned riding crop, as well the newly introduced cylinder riding crop. However, the CHRB has continued to refuse to even consider the proposal or engage in conversations with the riders who are most impacted by its decisions.

Unfortunately, it is evident, now more than ever before, that the CHRB does not view jockeys as essential and equal stakeholders in this industry. Instead, we are viewed as second class citizens or even worse. However, the Guild and the jockeys we represent refuse to accept this point of view. We will continue to fight for the livelihoods and safety for our members and the betterment of our sport. In doing so, the Guild will continue to work with the industry and other jurisdictions for a fair national riding crop rule. If California opts to institute its own regulations regarding the riding crop and its usage, it will not be in the interest of racing in the United States.

The post The Jockeys’ Guild: CHRB Whip Rules ‘Are Both Unsafe And Jeopardize The Integrity Of The Sport’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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