Gulfstream to Host Jockeys and Jeans Benefit
Description:
Gulfstream Park's Eclipse Award reception, set for Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, will host Jockeys and Jeans’ second auction of select stallion seasons to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The event attracts many who attend the Eclipse Award presentations at the track the following evening and is held in the walking ring area after the racing card.
In the first sale of non-guaranteed seasons last year, the group sold over $114,000 in donated stallion seasons, with the select seasons sold at the third annual event last February at Gulfstream Park. The fourth annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser is set for June 3 at Parx Racing near Philadelphia
Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company is the auction’s official sponsor with Fasig-Tipton Sales Company, Inc. again supplying the sale’s auctioneer and bid spotters. Call-in bids will be accepted at the select sale and information on bidding there will be posted on Starquine.com, which will host the online portion of the auction of other seasons. It begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17 and ends at 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 (all times Eastern).
“We thank Mr. Frank Stronach and all at Gulfstream Park for this wonderful opportunity,” said Jockeys and Jeans president and former jockey Barry Pearl. “I believe their generosity reflects the growing and heart-touching response within the racing community to the ongoing needs of catastrophically-injured jockeys. The fact that two competing sales companies are coming together to aid fallen riders is proof positive that within the racing industry exists a true spirit of giving.”
In three years Jockeys and Jeans has raised nearly $500,000 for jockeys who suffered career-ending injuries. Founded in 2014 by a group of former jockeys, the group’s mission is to publicize the inherent dangers of race riding, honor the courage of those who suffered catastrophic injuries as they rebuild their lives, and raise funds for their ongoing support. Its motto is, “We are the lucky ones. We walked away intact, but we will never forget our brothers and sisters who did not.” More information on Jockeys and Jeans is available at www.jockeysandjeans.com or its Facebook page.
The PDJF is a 501(c)(3) charity that provides financial assistance to 60 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 available at www.pdjf.org.
More information available from vice president and media relations designee Eddie Donnally at eddonnally@gmail.com, (818) 653-3611.