press releases

From industry updates to major initiatives, this is where the Jockeys’ Guild shares its story. Browse our official press releases to stay up to date on the work we’re doing to support jockeys on and off the track.

Jockeys’ Guild Education Foundation Introduces Academic Success Program, Begins Accepting Applications and Receives Non-Profit Status

Lexington, KY, September 9, 2026

Since the Jockeys’ Guild Education Foundation (JGEF) launch in April, Executive Director, Ramon Dominguez has visited the jocks’ quarters at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Laurel Park, Charles Town, Delaware Park, Finger Lakes Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course to talk about the program and conduct a survey of all the Guild members to better understand jockeys’ educational background and career interests. The survey, completed by 267 individuals, indicated a high level of interest in continuing education, with a broad spectrum of fields, ranging from GED programs, equine related education to trade certifications.

“It has been nice to connect with so many jockeys this summer. We know formal education ends when most jockeys begin riding, but it has been great to hear their individual stories and hopes for the future. On behalf of the jockey colony and the Jockeys’ Guild we are grateful to The Lavin Family Foundation for recognizing this need and stepping up to make a difference.

Receiving the 501 (c) 3 approval so quickly after applying has increased everyone’s enthusiasm and hopes for the future,” comments Dominguez.

As a result of the findings of the survey, the Jockeys’ Guild Education Foundation and Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s Workforce Solutions department have launched an Introductory Class, an eight-week online course designed to help jockeys build academic skills, strengthen digital literacy, and prepare for future career-specific educational opportunities.

Twelve jockeys are enrolled in the first introductory class. Upon completion, participants will have the opportunity to enroll in career-specific courses and programs at the institution of their choice and to receive scholarship funding through the Jockeys’ Guild Education Foundation.

The Race for Education, a longtime supporter of educational initiatives for horsemen, hasdonated 10 computers for participants who do not have access to computers. “Education is empowering, and this program will benefit jockeys while they are riding and help ensure their success after the races. This aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are proud to play a role in the program’s success,” said Elisabeth Jensen, President and Co-Founder of The Race for Education.

The application for jockey scholarships and academic programs was made available in mid-August, and to date 33 jockeys have applied. In addition to the Academic Success Program, an active jockey has applied, been accepted and is enrolled at Lincoln Technical College, pursuing a HVAC certification.

Initial funding for JGEF, covering setup, scholarships, and administrative costs, has been provided by the Lavin Family Foundation. JGEF operates with the support of the Guild's administrative infrastructure. Recently the organization’s 501 (c) 3 status has been approved, positioning JGEF to accept tax-deductible contributions, enabling sustainable growth through future grants, donations, and industry partnerships.

“The Lavin Family Foundation is proud to lead this effort to expand educational opportunities for jockeys,” said Craig Bernick, President of the Lavin Family Foundation. “Education is a core pillar of our work because it is one of the most effective means of empowerment. That applies to jockeys while they are actively riding and in the years following when they hang up their tack. We are excited to support this first group and help grow these opportunities across the industry.”

About the Jockey’s Guild Education Foundation

The Jockeys' Guild Education Foundation (JGEF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, addresses a critical and longstanding gap in the horse racing industry — the lack of structured educational support for the jockeys. Its mission is to advance and encourage career opportunity and personal growth through educational scholarships for qualifying active and retired Jockeys’ Guild members and permanently disabled jockeys. JGEF was established through a partnership between The Lavin Family Foundation, Glen Hill Farm, and the Jockeys’ Guild. The organization is operating under the Guild's infrastructure, maintaining independence while leveraging established organizational resources.

About the Jockeys' Guild

Jockeys’ Guild, Inc. is the organization representing professional jockeys in Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing in the United States. It was founded in May 1940 and has approximately 1,050 members, including active, retired and disabled jockeys. The purpose is to protect jockeys, strive to achieve a safer racing environment, 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 jockeys. For more information about the Guild,

visit www.jockeysguild.com or www.facebook.com/jockeysguild.

About The Lavin Family Foundation

The Lavin Family Foundation is committed to expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities. Its portfolio of impact includes Enchanted Backpack , CC's Wish List , and educational initiatives at multiple universities and not-for-profit organizations, collectively impacting over 200,000 individuals.

Media Contact: Ramon Dominguez, (513) 655-JGEF (513-655-5433), email: Ramon@JGEF.org

JOCKEYS’ GUILD ADDRESSES CONCERNS REGARDING THE DISTANCE CHANGE AT SARATOGA ON JULY 12th

LEXINGTON, KY (July 13, 2026)

The Saratoga jockey colony would like to respond to comments made by NYRA executives and other personnel about the sequence of events leading up to the change of distance on the turf course from 1 mile to 1 1/16 miles in the 4th race on Sunday. 

The Jockeys’ Guild and the local colonies regularly work with racetrack officials across the country to establish optimal standards for rail settings and the numbers of starters, depending on the age of the horses and distances of the races, taking into consideration the layout of each racetrack and the surface(s). Once the jockeys have had an opportunity to ride, they are able to provide input and racetracks will make modifications accordingly to preserve safety for both the horses and riders. For instance, starting races from the mile chute on the dirt at Saratoga Race Course was a safety concern. Over the past few years, the jockeys and NYRA management tried on a number of occasions to establish the maximum number of starters, the appropriate placement of the starting gate, and stall position from the rail. Working together, these issues were resolved cohesively, not only for safety purposes, but also to assure a fair and equitable start for all of the horses. 

Even though condition books are available in advance, this is primarily so trainers and others can plan training and racing schedules for their horses. It is the jockey’s agent, not the jockey, who is familiar with the condition book. Entries are taken anywhere from 72 hours up to 10 days in advance and overnights are available on the day of entry. However, on a daily basis a jockey begins working horses in the early morning hours until 10:30 or 11:00 and then they are typically focused on the upcoming race day mounts, with many of them reducing to make weight. Jockeys are looking at the number of horses they are riding and the weight they must make, not scrutinizing the overnights for the number of horses in a particular race. 

The timing of the announcement of the change of distance of Sunday’s race was indeed unfortunate and the jockeys recognize the importance of the betting public and understand their frustrations regarding the changes. However, NYRA management was aware of the jockeys’ concerns on Friday, July 10th, regarding 2-year-old maidens racing 1 mile on the inner turf course. Additionally, multiple NYRA officials were notified for the second time of the jockeys’ concerns at approximately 12:15 p.m. EST, as the fourth race was carded with 11 starters, with 10 actually running. The inner turf course has a short run into the first turn at this distance and is not safe for a field of that size. This has always been a safety issue not only for the jockeys, but for the horses as well, dating back at least three decades. 

At no time, has the Guild, nor the riders, ever agreed to more than 8 starters in a 2-year-old race on the inner turf at the 1 mile distance. While it is correct that NYRA ran two similar races in 2025, the race on July 25 (Race 7) had eight (8) horses and the race on August 7 (Race 2) had seven (7) horses. Furthermore, over the past couple of years, there have been other instances of communication, and possibly some misunderstanding with NYRA officials, regarding the 1 mile turf distance, as well as the number of starters for 2-year-olds at different distances with various rail settings. 

Given both notifications of the jockeys’ concerns, the management was given more than enough time to change the distance from a 1 mile to a 1 1/16 miles for safety purposes without delaying the races. The jockeys followed the proper protocols to notify racing officials of their concerns in a timely manner. It is unfortunate that was not fully communicated to the public and media by NYRA officials and those who have made it seem as though the jockeys were at fault.  The Guild and the jockeys will continue, just as we have always done, to work with NYRA management on the number of starters at various distances for the safety of riders and our equine athletes, as well as all other safety and integrity matters. 

Jockeys’ Guild Education Foundation Launches Program to Jumpstart Career Paths for Jockeys Through Education

Hall of Fame jockey Ramón Domínguez will serve as executive director

Lexington, KY, April 21, 2026 -The Lavin Family Foundation, Glen Hill Farm, and the Jockeys' Guild announce the establishment of the Jockeys' Guild Education Foundation (JGEF), a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated entirely to the educational empowerment of professional jockeys. Through scholarships, personalized academic guidance, and practical skills training, JGEF will give jockeys the tools to build financial security and employment opportunities during and after their riding careers.

Jockeys face unique challenges that extend beyond the racetrack. Many begin their careers as young athletes from large families with limited financial resources, prioritizing training and competition over formal education. Jockeys’ irregular income, physical injuries, and language barriers, particularly for international riders from Latin America, compound their vulnerability. Many riders continue competing into their 50s and 60s not by choice, but because they have nowhere else to turn. JGEF has an official launch date of July1st. In the meantime, a survey will be circulated to jockeys and focus groups will be organized in coordination with the Guild’s regional managers to better understand the riders’ needs and educational goals.

Ramón Domínguez emphasized the importance of this program in assisting jockeys develop second careers. “I know firsthand what it means to face an uncertain future when a riding career ends,” stated Domínguez. “My injury changed everything for me overnight. JGEF exists so that jockeys can build the skills and credentials to write their own next chapter, whatever that looks like. I am honored to lead this foundation and deeply committed to its mission."

Hall of Fame jockey Domínguez will serve as the JGEF Executive Director. Board members of the JGEF are Craig Bernick, Rachel Jacobson, Johnny Velázquez, Jockeys’ Guild President Terry Meyocks and Jack Wolf. Jockeys’ Guild Vice President Mindy Coleman will lend her expertise, as will Jockeys’ Guild Accounts Manager Tina Linville. University professor, turf writer, and author Gabi Kuenzli will provide educational guidance.

"2026 marks the 60th year of horse ownership for Glen Hill Farm, and there is no more meaningful way to mark this milestone than by investing in the jockeys who have given so much to our sport. It is a perfect blend of our involvement in thoroughbred racing and the Lavin Family Foundation’s core belief in supporting education across underserved communities,” stated Craig Bernick, President of the Lavin Family Foundation and Glen Hill Farm. “JGEF is our

commitment to ensuring that riders have every opportunity to build a life of dignity, security, and fulfillment, on and off the track."

Funding & Sustainability

Initial funding for JGEF, covering setup, scholarships, and administrative costs, will be provided by the Lavin Family Foundation. JGEF operates with 501(c)(3) status pending under the Guild's infrastructure. Upon approval, JGEF will be positioned to accept tax-deductible contributions, enabling sustainable growth through future grants, donations, and industry partnerships.

"The Jockeys' Guild has always stood for the well-being of our riders, on the track and beyond it. JGEF is a natural extension of that mission, and we are proud to partner with the Lavin Family Foundation and Glen Hill Farm to make it a reality. Our riders deserve this investment,” stated Meyocks.

Please see http://jgef.org/ for the JGEF executive summary and more information.

About The Lavin Family Foundation

The Lavin Family Foundation is committed to expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities. Its portfolio of impact includes Enchanted Backpack https://www.enchantedbackpack.org/, CC's Wish List https://www.ccswishlist.org/, and educational initiatives at multiple universities and not-for-profit organizations, collectively impacting over 200,000 individuals.

About Glen Hill Farm

Glen Hill Farm is one of thoroughbred racing's most storied and respected operations, celebrating its 60th year of horse ownership in 2026. Glen Hill Farm has a decades-long history of commitment to jockey welfare, equine research, and industry philanthropy.

Media Contact:

Ramón Domínguez,

Phone: (513) 655-JGEF, 513-655-5433

Email: Ramon@JGEF.org