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Thursday, September 21, 2006

Insurance Bill: Jockeys, Others

United States Representatives Ed Whitfield (R-Kentucky) and Bart Stupak (D-Michigan) on Thursday introduced the Jockeys' Insurance Fairness Act, a bill to provide injury insurance for jockeys, trainers, and backstretch workers in the horse racing industry.

Originally Posted on thoroughbredtimes.com at: 9/21/2006 6:03:00 PM

Whitfield has been active on horse racing issues, and his House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation heard testimony in 2005 from jockey Gary Birzer, who did not have catastrophic insurance when he was paralyzed in a racing accident on July 20, 2004, at Mountaineer Race Track.

"Horse racing is and will continue to be a very dangerous sport," said Whitfield, chairman of the subcommittee. "Instead of turning a blind eye to that reality, we should establish a basic level of injury coverage for workers in the horse racing industry. That's exactly what this bill is intended to do."

Dwight Manley, national manager of the Jockeys' Guild, said his group strongly endorses the bill, and Stupak, the leading Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, believes there is plenty of industry money to cover such a plan.

"During the Kentucky Derby (G1), the Woodford Reserve Distillery was selling $1,000 mint juleps with the proceeds going to a retirement fund for the race horses yet, there was no similar fund-raising for the jockeys who risk their lives to earn millions of dollars for the owners and trainers of these horses," Stupak said. "This bill will help remedy that disparity."

The bill would amend the Interstate Horse Racing Act of 1978 to require insurance funding. The Jockeys' Insurance Fairness Act would redirect revenues horsemen's groups receive from simulcast racing agreements to state racing authorities. The states would then be required to use those revenues to offer on-track injury coverage for jockeys, exercise workers, trainers, and track workers.

The bill also addresses the issue of anabolic steroids. The measure would ban entering horses that have been administered anabolic steroids of any kind into races. Steroids cause dramatic muscle mass increases in horses, which can damage ligaments that weaken a horse's foundation. Whitfield said the provision was included to improve racing safety and reduce the number of catastrophic accidents that happen on the track.

Manley said he is glad to see efforts to provide insurance and create safer race conditions for riders.

"Jockeys risk their lives every time they take a mount, but right now, not all tracks have adequate coverage if an accident occurs," said Manley. "If a jockey does suffer some devastating injury on the track, this bill will ensure that their medical bills are covered."

Since 2005, Whitfield has held three hearings exposing how the Guild's controversial past management squandered the organization's resources on themselves and, in the process, allowed jockeys' catastrophic injury insurance to lapse. Birzer thought he was covered by a Guild catastrophic insurance policy at the time of his injury but learned that he was not.

Whitfield expressed hope that the bill would receive speedy consideration in the Congress.

"Accidents will continue to happen at the track, and we should not wait for individual tracks to increase their coverage. A consistent federal policy will mean that all riders, trainers, and backside workers are covered for accidents that may occur," Whitfield said. "This is a common sense approach, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill."

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

2006 Annual Assembly

All Board Members and Senators Must Attend
All guild members and spouses are strongly encouraged to attend.

FLIGHTS

(Book Flight on Your Own or Through Gulfstream Travel)
GULFSTREAM TRAVEL 1(888)825-8400
Please make your flight arrangements IMMEDIATELY to get the best rates
The internet often has the best deals
Arrive as early as convenient on Sunday
Do not book flights out prior to 5:00 pm on Tuesday

HOTEL

Please call the Excalibur Hotel 800-937-7777, when making a reservation use the code XJOCKEY to guarantee group rate $69/night. If you have further questions call JAMI HALL at the Guild office to make your hotel reservations, 866-GO-JOCKS, or send an email to jhall@jockeysguild.com. CALL BEFORE OCTOBER 31, 2006, to reserve your room at guaranteed rate.

SCHEDULE

The first Assembly meeting and cocktail reception will be on Sunday evening.
The Assembly will conclude on Tuesday afternoon.

BUDGET

Remember, everyone is responsible for the lowest available coach fare.
Roommates will be assigned unless otherwise requested.
Food is not included outside of provided meals.
The hotel does NOT provide transportation to and from the airport

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Guild office or your member representative.

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