PJ Cooksey | Horse Racing Free Tips

Commonwealth Polo Club is hosting the first “Polo for the PDJF” on Friday, April 23, 2021, in Paris, Kentucky, with proceeds benefiting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (“PDJF”).

The evening will include dinner, drinks, entertainment, a silent auction, with the main attraction being the retired and active jockeys who will be playing polo while riding retired race horses. Jockeys who will be playing include Chris McCarron, Rosie Napravnik, PJ Cooksey, Anthony Stephen, Michael Heath and many others. Additionally, the event will be emceed by Hall of Fame jockey, Gary Stevens, and attended by Shane Sellers, Jean Cruget, Sandy Hawley, Mike Manganello, and Gary Birzer, along with other active and retired jockeys.

“We are really looking forward to the event,” said Susan Moulton, wife of well-known retired jockey Shane Sellers, and member of Commonwealth Polo Club. “They are coming out to play to raise money and awareness for their fellow jockeys who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of an on-track accident. As there is no guaranteed funding for the PDJF, it is important that we come together as an industry to assist in providing for these jockeys who gave so much for the sport of horse racing.”

Moulton, along with Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock, Vinery Sales and Silver Springs Training, and Jorge Vasquez, co-founder of the Commonwealth Polo Club, came up with the idea and are hoping to make it an annual event.

“Raising awareness for the risk and injuries jockeys face is something that is important to me,” said Vasquez, “as I have a brother who is a retired jockey and many family members and friends who are in the racing industry.”

During the silent auction, guests will be given the opportunity to bid on a unique array of items including autographed racing memorabilia, artwork, jewelry, and equestrian items. Auction items of interest include halters worn by American Pharoah and Justify donated by Coolmore America, Tapit donated by Gainesway Farm, and Midnight Bisou donated by Bloom Racing Stables and Hill N Dale Farm.

Sponsors of the polo teams include Gainesway Farm, Winstar Farm, Godolphin at Jonabell Farm, Mt. Brilliant Farm, Safari North Farm, Team Valor, Bowling Bloodstock, Vinery Sales, and Silver Springs Training.

Musical Entertainment will be “The Steve Norman Band.” There will be food provided by Proud Mary BBQ. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the polo match beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST. Admission for the event is $10 per car load. Commonwealth Polo Club is located at 2665 Bethlehem Road in Paris, Kentucky.

For more information please contact Jorge Vasquez at Commonwealth Polo Club at 859-321-6785.

The post Polo For The PDJF: Jockeys On OTTBs In Benefit Event At Commonwealth Polo Club appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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A name change was a game change for Patricia J. Cooksey. Women were still a bit of a novelty when she launched her jockey career in 1979 so at the suggestion of an associate, she was listed by her initials in the track program to imply she was a man. The rebranding was brilliant and trainers increasingly requested P.J. for their entrants.

Cooksey delights in telling stories about trainers' reactions to meeting her in the saddling paddock. One exclaimed, “Oh my god, you're a girl!” to which she replied something to the effect of, “Yes, I have been all my life.”

Another felt awkward giving her a leg up.

When she closed her career in 2004, she had accumulated 2,137 triumphs primarily on the Kentucky-Ohio-West Virginia circuit and briefly ranked as the top female rider before being overtaken by Julie Krone who holds the title with 3,704 wins.

Those who know her best still call her P.J. or Patti. Professionally she is listed as Patricia “PJ” Cooksey in her role as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's Assistant Director of the Kentucky Breeders' Inventive Fund. She went to work for the organization three months after becoming restless in retirement. In her current role, she visits farms to ensure that resident broodmares are indeed living in Kentucky so their resulting foals can be registered for bonus state-bred money. She also is called upon to serve as a racing steward and Standardbred judge several times a year including a recent gig for Standardbred racing at county fairs.

“I have the best job in state government,” she said. “But I have never stopped missing race riding.”

Her most memorable moments include winning the 1983 Hollywood Prevue Stakes in Southern California on Kentucky-based So Vague in part because of the congratulatory hugs from idols Bill Shoemaker, Chris McCarron and other members of the extraordinary jockey colony. The following year So Vague became her only Kentucky Derby (G1) mount. In 1985 she became the first woman to ride in the Preakness Stakes (G1) when she piloted Tajawa. She notes that she has bragging rights that she “rode a Kentucky Derby winner” because she guided eventual Derby hero Monarchos in his career debut.

Cooksey at Turfway Park after her 1,203rd win

“The only reason I retired was because of the rod in my leg from my broken femur that was causing a lot of pain when I rode,” Cooksey said. “If I had known I could have gotten the rod removed, I might still be riding. I miss the camaraderie of my fellow riders. We were over-the-top competitive on the racetrack but family back at the jockeys' quarters. We used to have softball teams in the summer and bowling teams during the winter. Everyone would get together after the races for cookouts and drink beer and have a lot of fun back in the early days.”

The native of Youngstown, Ohio occasionally returns to the saddle. She has participated in the team penning fundraiser at the Kentucky Horse Park in which three riders separate designated steers from a small herd and she takes an annual extended trail ride in the Ozark Mountains with girlfriends that include ex-jockeys. She stays connected to other past colleagues in her work with Horses and Hope, an initiative that seeks to increase breast cancer awareness among Kentucky's horse industry.

In reinventing herself when her career concluded, Cooksey served as a racing commentator for Louisville television stations and ESPN on major race days with assignments that included reporting on horseback.

“It takes a lot of work and many hours to prepare for a show and although I thoroughly enjoyed working as a commentator, it just wasn't something I had a real passion for,” she said.

Of all her endeavors and accomplishments, Cooksey is most appreciative of her daughter with former husband John Neal, a longtime track-employed outrider. Despite her heritage, Chelsea Neal found her stride far from the equine world. With a degree in international relations, Chelsea has taught English in Spain, has been instrumental in establishing child-care facilities in Africa and currently works for God's Pantry.

Cooksey pitches in during a therapeutic riding session

“Chelsea was a very good rider and we did a lot of horse shows with her when she was younger, but I guess growing up as a racetrack kid she had enough of horses,” Cooksey said. “I am so proud of her servant's heart to always be striving to help others.”

Although her child found fulfillment elsewhere, Cooksey notes there are vast opportunities for employment in the Thoroughbred industry.

“My advice would be to start working at a farm and learn on the ground, 'in the trenches,'” she said. “There are many satisfying jobs available but it does take hard work, commitment and passion. It's definitely not for lazy people.”

The post Lost And Found Presented By LubriSynHA: Cooksey, By Any Name, Is A Racetracker appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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