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The Charity Event to Benefit the
Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
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Gulfstream Park to host 10th Annual Jockeys and Jeans
Fundraiser for PDJF Jan. 11, 2025
METAIRIE, LA – Jockeys and Jeans, which raises funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Funds (PDJF), has announced Gulfstream Park and 1/ST Racing will host their 10th annual fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 11 beginning at Noon.
Gulfstream, which played host to Jockeys and Jeans in 2016, will become the first facility to host the event twice.
Stephen Screnci, President of Racing and Business Development for 1/ST Racing, said: “Gulfstream Park and 1/ST are pleased to host Jockeys and Jeans during our Championship Meet, and we’re proud to partner as we work together to advance and promote the welfare and security of jockeys and riders during and after their careers.”
To date, Jockeys and Jeans has raised $3.4 million for PDJF though its fundraising efforts that include an annual stallion season sale. This is the first time there will be an autograph signing for the local jockey colony before the races and then one later for the Hall of Fame riders attending. This year’s event will also honor the memory of Hall of Fame members Walter Blum and Bobby Ussery. The event will be held in the track’s spacious Flamingo Room.
Early Bird Tickets are $100 with each attendee receiving a buffet luncheon, a poster signed by the Hall of Fame and other legendary jockeys attending and the unusual opportunity to mix and mingle with those famous jockeys. Tickets are available at https://pdjf.org/purchase-tickets/
“The event date is prime time for the track’s Winter Championship Season that features Pegasus World Cup Day and the Florida Derby, said Dr. Eddie Donnally, Jockeys and Jeans Interim President. “The track is the winter home of several Hall of Fame Jockeys and arguably the most talented riding colony in the nation. We expect to attract at least 15 retired Hall of Fame and legendary jockeys there to honor several of their fallen brother and sister jockeys. The committee and I are confident it will be a well-attended and successful fundraiser.”
Jockeys and Jeans will soon announce the recipient of its annual Person of the Year Award, traditionally a household name in the racing industry, others who will attend the event, and the racing celebrity who will be the event’s Master of Ceremonies.
“Last year at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas we raised a record $425,000 for PDJF, and that is high bar to clear,” said Donnally. “But we have assurances from officials at Gulfstream Park that they will go all out to promote the event. Our all-volunteer committee members know that the racing community understands the critical need and will again respond to our appeal to aid the 60 riders who suffered career ending injuries, with some 40 no longer riding races but wheelchairs.”
Nancy LaSala, PDJF President said, “The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund is appreciative for all the support that comes from retired and active jockeys to support events like Jockeys and Jeans, and their fellow jockeys A special thanks to Belinda Stronach, (Chairwoman and CEO 1/ST), as well as President Aidan Butler, and the entire team for being our host for a very special annual event.”
For more information contact Eddie Donnally at (818) 653-3711 edjockeysandjeans@gmail.com or Danny Teinowitz at 312-505-5222 dannyteinowitz@yahoo.com.
Reverend Eddie Donnally
President Jockeys and Jeans
Jockeys and Jeans Adds Three New Members to
It’s Team.
They include a Hall of Fame Jockey, an attorney, and noted Central Kentucky sales consigner.
Hall of Fame Jockey, Edgar Prado, was named the committee’s Hall of Fame Jockey Coordinator. He replaces fellow Hall of Fame member, Sandy Hawley, who stepped down but remains an Ambassador. Danny Teinowitz, a Chicago attorney, breeder, and long-time supporter, becomes Special Consultant to Interim President, Dr. Eddie Donnally. Graig Bandoroff, a highly successful Central Kentucky farm owner, consigner and former jockey becomes the group’s latest Ambassador.
Donnally, who is 80, is a former jockey and founding member, succeeded long time President, Barry Pearl, in August of 2023, “My sole goal is to see that the work goes on and to do that we need fresh talent and leadership,” he said. “We can be no better than the experience and expertise of our committee members and Ambassadors. On one hand, I hope that one day our efforts are not needed, but on the other hand our annual fundraising event brings over a dozen Hall of Fame jockeys together to honor women and men who are their fallen brothers and sisters. I think that is a point of pride for the entire racing industry.”
Jockeys and Jeans, founded in late 2014 by five former jockeys, has raised over $3.2 Million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, which provides a monthly stipend of $1,000 to some 60 former jockeys who suffered career ending injuries, with some 40 quadra or paraplegic.
Prado, 56, retired in June of 2023 as the eighth all-time leading jockey in wins with 7,119. His mounts earned over $272 Million, and he won 11 riding titles at NYRA affiliated tracks. Heo was the nation’s leading rider in wins for three years, and he won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2006. The winner of two Belmont Stakes and five Breeders’ Cup races, he was elected to racing’s Hall of Fame in 2008. Prado is best known for easily winning the 2006 Kentucky Derby aboard Barbaro, who broke down during the Preakness Stakes. He lives in Hollywood, FL with his wife, Lilana, and their three children. Prado joins Quarter Horse Hall of Fame jockey, G.R. Carter, as a committee member.
“No jockey is ever safe and for me to walk away intact after so many years is a gift because when you race, every day you know you can end up in a wheelchair.” Prado said. “I’m happy to be a part of Jockeys and Jeans and help those injured riders. Their lives can be tough, and I always believe it is better to give than to receive.”
Teinowitz won a Sovereign Award as the breeder of Fantasy Lake, Champion 2-Year-Old Filly of Canada in 1998, and has attended seven of the 10 Jockeys and Jeans annual events. His late father, Philip Teinowitz, campaigned the multiple Grade One winner and successful stallion, Cryptoclearance.
“I love horse racing, and I have always had great admiration and respect for all the courageous and dedicated jockeys who are involved in the sport,” said Teinowitz. “Supporting Jockeys and Jeans and the PDJF is very important to me, as so many fallen riders need our financial assistance.”
As Ambasssador, Bandoroff joins a group of industry leaders who provide advocacy and advice to the Jockeys and Jeans committee. He recently retired as president of the 800-acre Denali Stud, which has consigned over 500 stakes horses. At 19, in December 1974, he lost the use of his right arm when his mount at the former Garden State Park bolted into the inside rail after the start. He has aided the group’s fundraising efforts and is a vocal advocate.
“No one has to remind me how dangerous it is being a jockey,” said Bandoroff. “I fortunate and grateful that I recovered with my legs and brain intact.a jockey’s life is one instant away from a perilous event and result. I’ve always felt it was my obligation and responsibility to help these brave athletes who were less fortunate than I. It is my hope that everyone who benefits from being in our industry will help those jockeys who have been seriously injured. They deserve our
support.”
For more information contact Eddie Donnally at (818) 653-3711 edjockeysandjeans@gmail.com or Danny Teinowitz at 312-505-5222 dannyteinowitz@yahoo.com.
