Charles Fipke Donates $100,000 to PDJF

Thoroughbred breeder and multiple graded stakes-winning owner Charles Fipke has made a $100,000 donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, opining that "jockeys have a raw deal in the racing industry."

"Too often jockeys suffer career-ending, life-altering injuries, leaving them incapable of providing for themselves and their families," Fipke said. "Injured riders have limited medical coverage and those who are catastrophically injured may then become eligible for PDJF assistance. The fund is only able to provide $1,000 to per month to these men and women. For the most part, the PDJF relies on donations and has insufficient funding to increase this monthly stipend for jockeys and their families. Sure, we can continue to rely on owners and others to donate, but this is just not working.

"Racing provides entertainment for spectators, as well as potential profits to bettors. The tracks that put on the show should address this issue and make every effort to find a solution to this unfortunate dilemma."

"We are extremely grateful to Mr. Fipke for his generosity and for recognizing that the PDJF does not have permanent, guaranteed funding coming from existing revenue streams within the horse racing industry," said PDJF president Nancy LaSala.

PDJF board member John Velazquez also expressed gratitude for the donation on behalf of jockeys. Velazquez recently won the Apple Blossom Handicap  (gr. I) aboard Fipke's homebred, Forever Unbridled, at Oaklawn Park.

Fipke, a geologist, has been active in North American Thoroughbred racing since 1981. Winning at the highest level, he has bred and campaigned grade I winners Unbridled Forever (a full sister to Forever Unbridled), Jersey Town  , Tale of Ekati  , Internallyflawless, Perfect Shirl, and Perfect Soul  , as well as graded stakes-placed Golden Soul, Danish Dynaformer and Tale of Verve, and Queen's Plate winner Not Bourbon  , among others.

The PDJF is a 501(c)(3) charity that provides financial assistance to 61 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Founded in 2006, the PDJF has disbursed more than $7 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. 

The fund is a cooperative effort among race tracks, jockeys, horsemen, owners, and racing fans. More information can be obtained at this link.