Jockeys’ Guild | Support, Benefits & Services

It is an honor to serve as Co-Chairmen of the Jockeys' Guild. Alongside our fellow Board members and dedicated staff, we are committed to representing every Guild member and strengthening the programs, benefits, and resources that support jockeys and their families.

As we begin this new chapter, we also want to recognize the extraordinary leadership of Johnny Velazquez. After nearly two decades serving as Chairman and later Co-Chairman, Johnny leaves an incredible legacy of service to the Guild and our industry. While stepping aside from the Co-Chair role, he remains an active Board member, and we are honored to continue building upon the foundation he helped create.

Since 1940, the Jockeys' Guild has existed to serve one purpose: to be the unified voice of professional jockeys. Together, we continue working to improve safety, advocate for fair compensation, expand insurance and wellness benefits, provide mental health resources, and create new educational opportunities through the Jockeys' Guild Education Foundation.

Thank you for your continued support and for the pride you take in being a member of the Jockeys' Guild.

Junior Alvarado and Luis Saez both made the trip to Horseshoe Indianapolis on Indiana Derby Day. Alvarado won three stakes and Saez won two from a total of 8 stakes races on the card. Saez began his travel to Midwest tracks at Prairie Meadows on Friday night for their Iowa Festival of Racing and a stakes win. Voting by the panel of racing experts ended in tie with Alvarado and Saez sharing Jockey of the Week honors for July 6-July 12.

Racing fans can usually find Alvarado at Saratoga this time of year but as Bill Mott’s go-to rider, Alvarado was off to ride at Horseshoe Indianapolis for six mounts with three for the Hall of Fame trainer.

Alvarado was first aboard the Mott-trained 7-year-old Bendoog in the Michael G. Schaefer Memorial Handicap for three-year-olds and up. Off as the second choice in the scratched-down field of five, Bendoog raced inside in fourth chasing First Division. As the field approached the top of the stretch, Bendoog was closing the gap pulling away in midstretch to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:39.44 for a mile and seventy yards on the dirt.

Riding again for Mott, Alvarado was aboard Kapoor in the Mari Hulman George Memorial. Off as the second choice in the field of nine fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, Kapoor made every pole a winning one for a three-quarter length win in 1:41.75 for a mile and one-sixteenth.

Alvarado posted his third stakes win of the day in the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial for trainer Joe Sharp aboard the 5-year-old gelding, Seminole Chief. Off at odds of 14-1 in the field of ten, Seminole Chief raced in second behind Encino. Around the far turn, Seminole Chief put his nose in front but Encino came right back and two raced neck and neck with Seminole Chief just edging clear for a three-quarter length win in 1:40.16 for a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf.

Saez made the trip to Prairie Meadows on Friday night for the mount aboard 2025 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner, Good Cheer for two-time Eclipse Award trainer Brad Cox. Off as the overwhelming favorite in the field of five, Good Cheer took the lead around the far turn to win going away by five lengths in 1:43.71 for a mile and one-sixteenth.

Next stop for Saez was Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday. Riding for trainer “Rusty” Arnold, Saez was in the irons aboard In the Stars in the Indiana General Assembly Distaff. Breaking from the extreme outside in the field of eight, second favorite In the Stars raced in sixth until Saez swung the 4-year-old filly five wide taking the lead to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:39.44 for a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf.

Trainer Kenny McPeek then gave a leg up to Saez aboard Maximum Offer in the Indiana Oaks (G3). Maximum Offer was the quickest from the gate going wire-to-wire for a 2-1/2 length win in 1:42.65 for a mile and one-sixteenth on the main track.

Other nominees for Jockey of the Week included Micah Husbands with two stakes wins including the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker (G3) Jose Ortiz with eight wins for the week, Irad Ortiz, Jr. who won the Indiana Derby (G3) and Flavien Prat who won the Bowling Green (2).

Statistics provided by: Equibase/Photo: Coady Media

By uniting jockeys under one national organization, the Guild strengthens safety standards, protects livelihoods, and advocates for long-term industry reform. Its presence in the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing industry creates accountability, elevates professional standards, and helps secure a sustainable future for both riders and the sport itself.

With a forward-looking approach, the Guild continues to anticipate challenges, innovate protections, and ensure that every jockey—past, present, and future—has the support and advocacy they deserve.