Race fans thrive on the thrill and drama of watching the charge to the finish line. Jockeys also thrive on that thrill and drama, whether it's in a major stakes or a claiming race, but their thrill comes with the inherent risks of guiding 1,200 pound thoroughbreds at 40 mph through a pack of horses in the stretch.
Ron Turcotte can easily remember the thrills. His career included over 3,000 wins, including a pair of Kentucky Derbys, Preaknesses and Belmonts. In the blink of an eye on a Thursday afternoon at Belmont Park, the Hall of Fame rider was transformed from a world class athlete to a paraplegic, barely five years after riding Secretariat to a sweep of the 1973 Triple Crown.
Turcotte is the best known of the 60 riders who have been permanently disabled as a result of riding accidents. Some of these jockeys have been disabled since the 1950's. Each of them has a compelling story.
Taking The Reins
While most permanently disabled riders continue to share a love for the racetrack, they have new lives and face new challenges. Depending on the type of disability, their needs may include assisted living, on-site nursing care, rehabilitation, or modifications to a home and automobile. They also have more intangible needs such as maintaining their quality of life through friendships and social contact; taking on responsibilities and simply having the freedom to make choices and do what everyone else can do.
Despite being in a wheelchair, the thought of giving up has never entered jockey Rudy's Baez's mind. He currently works as the clerk of scales at Suffolk Downs and recently won New England's pretigious Spirit of Giving Award for his visits to hospitals and rehabilitation facilities to offer encouragement to others.
Dennis Keehan says he has two lives - the one before the accident at age 21 and the one after. Now 63, he has earned the reputation as a pool shark where he "makes a good pool player sweat."
The new life of the disabled jockey must be kept in perspective. After her accident in August 2000. Stacy Burton was in a coma for 23 days and was not expected to live. Today, at age 45, and 20 surgeries later, she is able to walk and talk despite her severe brain injury and fractured vertebrae, but she requires full-time care.
Jack Fires Bio
Johnny Velazquez Bio
The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund
Recognizing the daily challenges these jockeys and their families fact, the racing industry, consisting of a consortium of racetracks and racing organizations, including Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC), Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) and the New York Racing Association (NYRA), established The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). The mission is to heighten awareness of disabled riders and to raise funds to assist permanently disabled riders with their healthcare and living expenses.
TRA members have already pledged $250,000 in commitment funds. Other organizations including non-TRA member tracks, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, have also pledged contributions.
A 10-member board will distribute the donations collected through NTRA charities.
Support Disabled Jockeys Today
MEC encourages race fans to support disabled jockeys by sending contributions to:
Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund
PO Box 806
Emlhurst, IL 60126
The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit fund administered by NTRA Charities on behalf of the Thoroughbred Industry
Frequently Asked Questions