FIRST
TURN
Jockeys take a stand
by James Scully
The recent episode at Churchill Downs was a sad commentary for
horse racing. Fourteen jockeys were ejected for the remainder of
the meet for protesting insufficient insurance coverage and the
recently retired Shane Sellers was escorted out of the track in
handcuffs. Jockeys deserve better insurance coverage in Kentucky,
but there is little agreement on how to pay for it.
Jockeys feel slighted. They’ve been pushing for an increase in
the archaic weight scale that was set up about 75 years ago, but
the industry refuses to address their legitimate concerns.
Jockeys are treated like hired guns, so the industry feels little
obligation toward them. Riders are independent contractors, but
they deserve to be treated better.
Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr., Eddie Arcaro, Jerry Bailey
and other big-time riders put a face on horse racing and have
been an integral part of the sport like trainers. However,
successful jockeys are able to pay for additional coverage that
most riders can’t afford. The majority of riders risk life and
limb every day without adequate protection. The current $100,000
policy limit that tracks in Kentucky offer isn’t enough to cover
expenses in the event of serious injury.
The Jockey’s Guild shoulders plenty of blame. Adequate
insurance coverage should be a main focus for the organization,
but the Guild seems more interested in fighting for the right to
wear advertising patches on jockey pants than developing a
solution for the insurance problem. The Guild takes in millions
every year but accomplishes little of significance on behalf of
jockeys. It appears mostly ineffective.
The industry has done very little on the issue as well. Five
states, including New York and California, offer better coverage
because riders are protected under workers’ compensation laws
there. Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher appeared blindsided when
informed of that this week, and state officials offered to
discuss the matter for the first time with the Jockeys Guild.
Nobody seemed to care about this issue before.
Thoroughbred racing generated $15 billion in handle last year,
but the industry doesn’t embrace jockeys as a main part of the
game. The horse is the most important thing, but jockeys are of
vital significance. Most horses race only a couple of seasons.
Trainers and jockeys are the human stars in the sport, and there
is a big difference between an 8 percent trainer or jockey and
one that wins at a 25 percent clip. The industry should be doing
everything it can to promote the interests of both.
The actions of the banned jockeys at Churchill were met with
plenty of scorn this week, but they succeeded in drawing
attention to an issue of critical importance. It’s embarrassing
that Kentucky doesn’t offer the same protection to riders as
other states. There was nothing that Churchill could do to change
the situation for the remainder of its 21-day meet, but racing
officials in Kentucky should work to change the system as soon as
possible.
The Jockey’s Guild also needs to work to find solutions
instead of dragging its feet.