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 – 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 I’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.
