Payments to Disabled Jockeys Approved in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission recognized the Jockeys' Guild as the official representative of the riders and authorized annual payments to qualified retired and/or permanently disabled jockeys by unanimous vote March 14.

The former owners of Suffolk Downs, Sterling Suffolk Racecourse, held the sole Thoroughbred track license in the state. Suffolk hosted its final meet in 2019 but remains open for simulcasting and account wagering. Because there is no longer live Thoroughbred racing in the Commonwealth the gaming commission is required by statute to determine whether the Guild is still the representative organization. Moreover, at issue was the allocation of the funds collected from pari-mutel taxes on simulcast wagering.

"We delved into the laws whether we met the qualifications. As of April 1, 2021, there were changes to our proposal for jockeys who are eligible for distribution of those funds under MLGA section 128A 5H4. Because there was no live racing, we had to make a determination of eligibility for retired members and those who are permanently disabled," said Mindy Coleman, in-house counsel for the Jockeys' Guild.

Under the ruling, an annual total of $65,000 is in the fund and the distribution is based upon a pro rata share for the qualifying individuals. The exact number of jockeys who will receive annual payments will be decided, pending updated statistics from Equibase. This money is separate from benefits for riders established in the Race Horse Development Fund (RHDF) and classified as backstretch health and welfare as part of the 2011 Massachusetts expanded gambling legislation.

The MGC's action is a big win for the Guild and the riders in need.

"I am grateful that we're able to have a mechanism where we're able to get a small amount of money to these retired riders, and in particular, to the disabled jockeys. I appreciate all the work that was done because it was untested waters without live racing," said Commissioner Gayle Cameron.

"It is greatly appreciated that the commissioners continue to recognize the Guild and approve this distribution," Coleman said.