Caesars Entertainment’s Joe Morris Named Newest
Jockeys and Jeans’ Ambassador
JUNO BEACH, FL – March 23, 2022 – Jockeys and Jeans, a volunteer group dedicated to raising funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), today named Caesars Entertainment Inc. Vice President of Racing Joe Morris a Jockeys and Jeans Ambassador. In this role,
Morris will advocate for Injured jockeys' financial support, make known the inherent dangers of racing, and help in
jockeys recovery.
Morris joins the Executive Director of the Indiana Horsemen's Protective and Benevolent Association and Jockeys and Jeans 2021 Man of the Year Brian Elmore as well as Hall of Fame Jockeys Ron Turcotte, Laffit Pincay Jr, Chris McCarron, Jorge Velasquez, Mike Smith and Javier Castellano as Jockeys and Jeans ambassadors.
“It’s hard putting into context what this level of participation means to horse racing’s fallen heroes,” said Barry Pearl, President of Jockeys and Jeans. “It’s more than a response to a huge human need and desire to make a difference. It’s the recognition by leaders of another major corporation that the advocacy of former injured riders is one of the most significant in the entire horse racing industry and of which Morris knows firsthand as one of the most successful executives this sport has produced.”
Morris was instrumental in Caesars Entertainment becoming the named sponsor of the Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser on September 11, 2021, at Monmouth Park. Caesars Entertainment will also be the title sponsor of the Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser this summer at Churchill Downs.
The love for horse racing was developed early for Morris when he went to work on his uncle’s harness horse breeding farm in Maine at the age of 12. After graduating from the University of Maine, Morris dove into the horse racing industry and built his experience through many roles. From the president of Thoroughbred Owners of California to chief financial officer and vice president at New Hampshire’s former Hinsdale Raceway and more, Morris crafted his industry knowledge before eventually taking on his current role of senior vice president of racing for Caesars Entertainment.
Morris oversees all operations at Caesars’ five racetracks, which under his leadership have each set wagering records.
“The importance of the safety and wellbeing of our human and equine athletes is of the utmost importance,” said Joe Morris Jr., Senior Vice President of Racing at Caesars Entertainment. “At Caesars, we believe everyone in our industry should be active in financially assisting our fallen riders and we’re honored to take a leadership role with Jockeys and Jeans to support the PDJF and our disabled riders.”
Jockeys and Jeans was founded in late 2014. It holds an annual stallion season sale, fundraising event and to date, the all-volunteer group has raised over $2 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The charity provides a monthly stipend of $1,000 to 60 jockeys who suffered career-ending racing injuries, about 40 of whom are either paraplegic or quadriplegic.
For more information contact President Barry Pearl, jockeysandjeans@gmail.com, (717) 503-0182 or Vice President Eddie Donnally Edjockeysandjeans@gmail.com (818) 653-3711
Posted by Press Release on 03/04/2021
JUNO BEACH, FL—MARCH 3, 2021—For the first time the annual Jockeys and Jeans auction to raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund included Quarter Horse Industry stallions, with former ten-time Champion Jockey G.R. Carter spearheading the effort to enlist Quarter Horse breeders, who spent $31,500 for breeding seasons. Thoroughbred stallion season buyers spent $36,100.
“I think it should be noted that despite the sale taking place in the middle of the Pandemic, it was a success,” said Jockeys and Jeans President Barry Pearl. “I think that is a testament to the resiliency of those in the world of racing and their passion to care for those jockeys in both facets of racing who suffered career ending injuries.”
The all-volunteer Jockeys and Jeans, founded by five former riders in late 2014, has raised $1.6 million for the some 60 disabled former jockeys who receive a monthly $1,000 stipend from the PDJ F. The annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraising event at a separate track each year has become the single most successful fund raising venue in Thoroughbred racing.
Their planned event at Churchill Downs last fall had to be canceled due to the pandemic, but the group is planning an event this summer and possibly a virtual event later this spring. Both will be announced.
“We thank stallion season donors and buyers alike,” said Pearl. “We believe the old horse racing saying, ‘what goes around comes around,’ is true, and we believe the matings this sale produces will one day produce a champion.”
Four of Jockeys and Jeans nine committee members solicited stallion seasons: Barry Pearl, VP Eddie Donnally, Maureen and Darrell Brown and new member Leah Whitsell.
If you have questions contact Barry Pearl at jockeysandjeans@gmail.com or call (717) 503-0182 or Eddie Donnally djockeysandjeans@gmail.com or call (818) 653-3711.
