The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) announced Thursday that the
William Stamps Farish Fund has pledged $1 million to the PDJF, which supports
some 60 former riders who are permanently disabled as the result of on-track
catastrophic injuries. The gift will be annualized in four equal contributions
beginning in 2009.
“Advanced medical technologies, better training and improved racetrack safety
measures have made horse racing much safer for riders but no sport is ever
risk-free,” said Will Farish, president of the Houston, Texas-based William
Stamps Farish Fund and owner of Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky. “It
is my hope that members of the racing community will join me in supporting the
PDJF, not only to help meet the day-to-day needs of our disabled athletes but to
build an endowment that will provide a permanent funding source for their
long-term care.”
Racetracks, corporate sponsors, horse owners, jockeys, horsemen’s groups as
well as industry businesses and organizations have contributed to the PDJF since
its inception. More than $2 million has been disbursed to disabled jockeys since
2006.
“We are deeply grateful to Mr. Farish for his commitment to the PDJF and the
disabled athletes it supports,” said Nancy LaSala, executive director of the
PDJF. “Thanks to his generosity and leadership the PDJF can now focus more
attention on building the endowment that will ensure that financial assistance
for our disabled riders will always be available.”