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Thursday, April 26, 2007

Bill to Increase Riding Fees

Calif. Bill to Increase Riding Fees Gets Initial OK

Originally published by BloodHorse
by Jack Shinar

A bill that would increase riding fees for California jockeys and tie future hikes to the state's minimum wage law cleared the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee April 25.

The measure, AB 649, sponsored by the Jockeys' Guild and introduced by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where it is expected to get its first reading next month.

The Assembly G.O. committee heard testimony from Southern California jockeys Danny Sorenson and Joy Scott in support of the legislation. They told the committee that the mount fee in California has been increased just once -- by 5% -- in the past 19 years.

“Inflation has gone up 75 percent, while jockeys have received a 5 percent raise,” said Ma in a press release. “In what other occupation does someone receive a 5 percent wage increase over a 20-year period? This bill will bring justice for jockeys.”

Under terms of the bill, the mount fee, which ranges between $33 and $105 depending on the size of the purse for a race, would go up by 9% on Jan. 1, 2008. Increases after that would be tied to percentage gains in the state's minimum wage. For instance, the Legislature last year increased the minimum wage from $6.75 to $8 over a two-year period, amounting to an 18% increase.

The California Horse Racing Board is responsible for setting riding fees in the state.

According to the Jockeys' Guild, about 75% of jockeys earn less than $40,000 per year. In addition to the riding fee, jockeys earn additional money depending on whether the horse places in the money.

Nick Hardeman, a staff assistant to Ma, said the Thoroughbred Owners of California has dropped its opposition to the measure.

Attorney Barry Broad, California lobbyist for the Jockeys' Guild, could not be reached for comment.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Los Alamitos Course Begins...

Los Alamitos Race Course Begins Major Jockey's Room Renovations

(Cypress, California) – Los Alamitos Race Course will begin a major expansion and renovation program to significantly upgrade the jockey’s room facilities at the Orange County California track. The improvement project will add about 1,700 square feet to the existing 4,050 square foot facility.

The plans for the renovations are based on suggestions and support from the Jockeys’ Guild and the local Los Alamitos jockey colony.

“This is an excellent example of jockeys and track owners jointly working together for everyone’s benefit. The renovation plans at Los Alamitos are a very positive step by the track’s management team, and part of the Guild’s goal of improving the working conditions for riders nationwide,” said Dwight Manley, National Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild.

Los Alamitos Race Course Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Edward C. Allred, said the jockey’s room expansion program is a sign of success of the track’s multi-breed racing program.

“We are not only the premier Quarter Horse track in the country, we also conduct Thoroughbred and Arabian racing on a nightly basis. With three breeds of horses racing we have greatly increased the number of jockeys who ride here, and we need to expand our jockey’s room to accommodate them.”

In addition to increasing the overall size of the jockey’s room, the new plans at Los Alamitos include: upgrading the kitchen facilities; a new Jacuzzi and whirlpool tub; a new, private sleeping room; new recreation room facilities; expanded locker and valet areas; and the addition of an Equicisor.

The expansion and renovation program is expected to begin in early May and be completed in early June. The improvement plans are the result of productive meetings between Manley, Los Alamitos consultant Brad McKenzie, Jockeys’ Guild Western Regional Manager Darrell Haire and Guild Senators Cody Jensen and Sam Thompson.

The Cypress, California track will host four races boasting purses of $1 million or more in 2007 including the Los Alamitos Two Million, the richest race run in California.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Bob Yeager: 50 Year Member

The Jockeys' Guild is Proud to Honor Bob Yeager as a 50 Year Member

Longevity is an extraordinary trait for a jockey. One jockey who exemplifies that trait, along with pride and loyalty, is Bob Owen Yeager. On Sunday April 15, 2007, Bob Yeager was celebrated by Darrell Haire, the Turf Paradise Jockey Colony and Turf Paradise for his membership with the Jockeys’ Guild of over fifty years.

Bob Yeager was introduced to horse racing while growing up in Sterling, Colorado. A neighbor of Yeager’s gave him the opportunity to exercise some of his horses in the morning. From that experience Yeager was able to build a successful career as a jockey that spanned several decades. On August 12, 1950 Yeager scored his first victory aboard Tarry Long at Lincoln State Park in Nebraska. Yeager went on to have great success in Nebraska, securing two leading rider titles at Ak-Sar-Ben. The first came in 1959 when Yeager won 36 times from 228 mounts. The second came in 1964, when he had 30 wins from 246 mounts. Yeager’s fondest memories, though, come from Centennial Park in Denver, Colorado. At that track he was able to lead the jockey standing five times. Unfortunately, like many jockeys, Yeager faced a terrible accident in January 1967. He injured his neck severely and had to miss most of that year. Through determination and sheer will power Yeager was able to return to the saddle. He rode for seven more years before hanging up his reins in 1974.

During his career as a jockey, Yeager was dedicated to the Jockeys’ Guild. Yeager became a member on August 24, 1950. He served on the Board of Directors for several years and was heavily involved with the organization. Yeager is certain that if it had not been for the actions of the Jockeys’ Guild and its membership, the jockey’s 10% of the winner’s share of the purse would not be guaranteed, as it is now. Yeager believes in the Jockeys’ Guild and the purpose it serves all jockeys. He knows that when jockeys are unified and stick together they are capable of achieving more than if they go it alone. That is why he continues to be a dedicated member, and supports the jockeys’ cause.

Not only does Yeager support the Guild, he supports the industry. After retiring from the saddle, Yeager went on to become a valet and the color man for Turf Paradise. His dedication to the sport was rewarded last year, when Turf Paradise awarded him the Walter Cluer Award. This award is given to a person who gives beyond the call of duty and gives on and off the track. It is remarkable how Yeager has dedicated his life to the sport of horse racing. One reason for Yeager’s success as a rider and in life is the backing and support from his wife, Joann. They have been happily married since 1949, and her support has been unwavering through all the ups and downs, winners and losers, all of which are associated with the racetrack life.

Bob Yeager is a great example to us all. His support of the Jockeys’ Guild, the horse racing industry, and all the people involved, deserves our thanks. Thank You, Bob Yeager, for being a proud member of the Jockeys’ Guild for over fifty years.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Website Now Bilingual

Jockeys' Guild Web Site Now in English & Spanish

(Monrovia, California) - The recently renovated Jockeys' Guild web site now is available online in both English and Spanish.

The home page, www.JockeysGuild.com, automatically appears in English. All the public web pages then can be instantly changed to Spanish by clicking the word, “Espanõl,” on the top right of the page. The pages can be returned to English by clicking, “English.”

“About one-third of the Guild’s 1,300 members speak Spanish, and we believe it’s important to conveniently provide information to them and to Spanish-speaking members of the public and news media,” said Dwight Manley, National Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “As part of the recent, extensive improvements to the web sites we’re also working on bilingual plans for the members’ private log-in web pages in the future, too.”

In addition to information from the organization about its activities, history and members, recent news stories posted on the web site about the Guild also are translated into Spanish.

For additional information, contact the Jockeys’ Guild, P.O. Box 150, Monrovia, California 91017. Phone: (800) GO JOCKS.

Monday, April 09, 2007

Donation Helps Relief Fund

Horse Owner's Donation Keeps Relief Funds on Track for Disabled Jockeys

The owner of a stakes-winning horse is donating $58,000 dollars so that disabled jockeys will continue to receive benefits from a nearly-broke fund established last year to help them. He also is making a separate goodwill donation of $250,000 to the financially-struggling Jockeys' Guild.

Orange County California building contractor Michael Bello, owner of Megahertz, the winner of 13 stakes races, is making the $58,000 donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund so that 58 former riders each will receive their scheduled $1,000 relief payments in April.

"In addition to the emergency donation, he's pledged a quarter-million dollars for the Guild as a horse owner's show of support to the nation's jockeys," said Dwight Manley, National Manager of the Jockeys' Guild.

"Mike Bello is the person who recruited me last year for the job with the Guild because they needed business leadership and someone with experience turning around challenging situations ā€“ such as my earlier work with difficult NBA players."

Bello said he hopes his contributions will prompt other horsemen to get involved.

"As a race horse owner, I've developed friendships with many of the riders, and that's given me the opportunity to see racing from a different perspective. The jockeys are a group of hard working, dedicated athletes who deserve more support. I'm grateful to Dwight Manley for stepping forward into this difficult position, and Iā€™m showing him my support," Bello explained.

In addition to Megahertz, Bello also owns two other horses he describes as "promising," Down and In the Woods.

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit fund administered by National Thoroughbred Racing Association Charities. Earlier this month, Manley revealed the fund would not be able to send the planned $1,000 payment in April to 58 disabled riders who currently receive monthly assistance. He called on horsemen and others in the racing industry to provide more assistance.

On April 3, Manley and jockey Edgar Prado announced that the saddle Barbaro wore while winning last year's Kentucky Derby will be offered in a public auction at this year's Mint Jubilee Gala, May 4. All proceeds from the sale of the autographed, red and leather saddle will be donated to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Bello said he's interested in bidding on the saddle.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Turfway to aid jockey fund

BY SHANNON RUSSELL - Orginally publish on Cincinnati.com

Last year Turfway Park contributed about $10,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, and park president Bob Elliston expects the Florence track to continue its support of the financially struggling non-profit charity.

"We believe injured jockeys need assistance, and we're willing to step up and help as we have in the past," Elliston said.

The fund, administered through National Thoroughbred Racing Association Charities, was established by tracks, horsemen's organizations, jockeys and the NTRA. Its purpose was to supplement payments, like Social Security, to disabled riders.

Jockeys' Guild manager Dwight Manley said Tuesday in Louisville that the PDJF operates month to month due to lack of support by horsemen and others in the industry. Fifty-eight jockeys who receive money through the program won't get $1,000 payments scheduled in April.

"There are a lot of people counting on it," former jockey Jackie Fires said by phone from Arkansas. Fires was paralyzed in 1977 after his horse rolled over him at River Downs.

Guild regional manager and Taylor Mill resident Jeff Johnston said the PDJF united many parts of the horse-racing business when it was established in 2006.

"It was really an entire industry effort. Everyone had a stake in it," Johnston said.

But the ensuing support issues have forced the program to fund raise for a temporary boost. Jockey Edgar Prado is donating the saddle Barbaro wore in the last Kentucky Derby to an auction for the fund.

Elliston maintains an industry-wide solution is the way to resolve the disabled jockey funding issue. Johnston suggested legislation that would affect wagering, so that a percentage of the handle, or money bet, would benefit disabled jockeys.

River Downs general manager Jack Hanessian said tracks could explore the "lead taken by Beulah Park and River Downs" on workers compensation. Hanessian said River Downs doesn't contribute to the PDJF because it provides workers comp.

Former jockey Dennis Keehan, who was paralyzed in an accident at Sportsman's Park in 1964, recently had an operation on his lower back and is having another operation at the month's end.

"If the Fund's in trouble, I'm going to have to find (money) somehow..." Keehan said.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Babaro's Saddle in Auction

Barbaro's Kentucky Derby Saddle in Charity Auction, May 4

(Louisville, Kentucky) -- The saddle worn by the beloved Barbaro in his spectacular first place finish at the 2006 Kentucky Derby will be offered for sale in a charity auction in Louisville, May 4, the eve of this year's Derby.

"It's the last saddle ever worn by Barbaro, and all proceeds from its sale will be given to permanently disabled jockeys," said Dwight Manley, National Manager of the Jockeys' Guild.

The saddle is being donated by acclaimed jockey, Edgar Prado, who used it when he rode Barbaro to a 6 1/2 lengths victory in the 132nd Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2006.

"Barbaro was one of the greatest horses to ever run the Derby," said Prado who also used the saddle with Barbaro in last year's Preakness and earlier when he won the Belmont Stakes in 2002 aboard Sarava and in 2004 on Birdstone. "I only used the saddle for major races."

Barbaro was humanely euthanized earlier this year due to medical complications related to the injuries he suffered during last year's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland.

The red and white leather saddle will be sold to the highest bidder in an auction to be conducted live at the Mint Jubilee Gala at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Friday, May 4, 2007, Derby eve. All proceeds from the sale of the saddle will go to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, a division of National Thoroughbred Racing Association Charities. There are 58 severely injured jockeys receiving vital assistance each month from the Fund.

"We are very excited about the inclusion of Barbaro's saddle in the auction," said Linda Foushee', a member of the Mint Jubilee Gala Planning Committee. "The black-tie Mint Jubilee Gala is now in its 11th year, and in addition to raising money to assist disabled jockeys the event also benefits the James Graham Brown Cancer Center and Gilda's Club Louisville."

Formal announcement of the planned sale will be made at a news conference at Churchill Downs racetrack on Tuesday, April 3. During the news conference, the saddle will be marked by PSA/DNA Authentication Services of Newport Beach, Calif. with a synthetic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) strand that only can be seen when illuminated by a specific laser frequency.

"The DNA ink has an astronomical 1-in-33 trillion chance of being accurately reproduced by potential counterfeiters. We've used the same method to certify other historic sports items including footballs used in the last seven Super Bowl games and Mark McGwire's 70th home run baseball," explained Joe Orlando, President of PSA/DNA, the world's largest sports memorabilia certification company and a division of Collectors Universe, Inc.

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