Jockeys’ Guild Honors Three for Industry Achievements

Jan 30th, 12

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- The Jockeys’ Guild today honored three men for outstanding achievements and contributions to the horse racing industry. The awards were presented during a luncheon at their honor at the 2012 Jockeys’ Guild Assembly in Fort Lauderdale. 

The honorees include the following:

--Jacky Martin received the top award for quarter horse jockeys, an award that has been named in his honor. Martin has won nearly 3,000 races, and his mounts have earned more than $45 million. He is a seven-time winner of the All-American Futurity and voted AQHA Champion Jockey twice. He rode for nearly 40 years and is a member of the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse and Oklahoma Halls of Fame. Martin is currently recuperating from a racing accident at Ruidoso Downs and is continuing his rehabilitation. 
--DeShawn Parker was presented with the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award. The honor goes to a thoroughbred jockey for outstanding achievement during the year. Parker has been the nation’s leading rider by wins the past two years. In 2010 he became the first African American to win the most North American races since James “Soup” Perkins achieved the feat in 1895. He is the all-time leading jockey at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort and is approaching 4,000 career wins. 
--Dave Hicks was honored with the Eddie Arcaro Award, presented for exceptional commitment to jockeys and the Jockeys’ Guild. Hicks worked his way from groom to trainer to steward, a position he’s held for some 50 years. He has served as steward in Massachusetts, New York and Florida. He’s known for creating his Apprentice Program, an ongoing effort to work with young riders on safety, financial and security issues, while maintaining the integrity of the sport. 

“These men have brought great honor to the sport of horse racing,” said Terry Meyocks, National Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “Each has shown a lifelong commitment to excellence, and they are extremely deserving of their accolades.”

The 2012 Jockeys’ Guild Assembly is a gathering of quarter horse and thoroughbred jockeys to discuss issues and opportunities that affect them. Those issues include health and safety, insurance, personal and professional growth and development and the future of horse racing. The Assembly will conclude Tuesday.

Jockeys’ Guild, Inc., the organization representing professional jockeys in American Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, was founded in May 1940 and has approximately 950 members, including active, retired and disabled jockeys. The purpose is to protect jockeys, strive to achieve a safer racing environment, to obtain improved insurance and other benefits for members and to monitor developments in local, state and federal laws affecting the racing industry, and in particular, the jockey