The 10th annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund at Gulfstream Park on January 11 raised $292,000. The Jockeys and Jeans January 2024 Stallion Season Sale totaled a record of $94,560 and the recently concluded Quarter Horse Season Sale, operated by committee member and Quarter Horse jockey legend, G.R. Carter, raised an additional $67,200. From February 2024 to February 2025 Jockeys and Jeans raised a one-year record of $453,760. The total amount it has raised for PDJF since their founding in late 2014 is $3.85 Million.
"The Gulfstream Park event was a total group effort, and our committee worked at least a thousand hours organizing and producing the event," said Interim President Dr. Eddie Donnally. "To be a part of this group's efforts is one of my life's most meaningful milestones."
Some 300 attended to watch an event record 17 Hall of Fame Jockeys and two legendary jockeys, including Triple Crown winner Jean Cruguet, honor a record number of 11 men and women no longer riding races but wheelchairs.
The event also honored three recently deceased Hall of Fame Jockeys, Walter Blum, John Rotz, and Robert "Bobby" Ussery. Their loved ones received special plagues commemorating the lives and accomplishments of the three. Noted FanDuel on-camera analyst, Mike Joyce, attended to accept the Person of the Year Award and Craig Bandoroff took home the Uphill Push Award. The Jockeys and Jeans Ambassador lost the use of his right arm in a spill at Garden State Park Racetrack in December 1974. Yet he went on to become a highly successful Kentucky breeder and sales consignor.
He and fellow Ambassador, Brian Elmore, along with committee member and Canterbury Park CEO, Randy Sampson, were responsible for significant donations. Elmore is a consultant for the Indiana HBPA which donated $25,000. Caesars Entertainment, and successful horse owner Mike Pegram each donated $25,000. Joe Morris, the Senior Vice President of Racing for Caesars Entertainment, is a former Jockeys and Jeans Person of the Year. And one donor who wishes to remain anonymous donated $60,000.
Donnally said, "I want everyone who purchased event sponsorships or donated, as well as the Hall of Fame Jockeys who flew from all parts of the country to attend and Gulfstream Park management, to know there is proof they made a difference. Shortly before the event, PDJF increased the monthly stipend from $1,000 to $1,500 for some 60 jockeys who suffered career ending injuries. Jockeys and Jeans would like to give everyone whose donations made this possible, and our latest event and overall fundraising successful, a thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
For more information contact Interim President Dr. Eddie Donnally edjockeysandjeans@gmail.com, Phone 818-653-3711 or Danny Teinowitz, Consultant to the President, Phone 312-505-5222 dannyteinowitz@yahoo.com.
