Equestrian sports are extremely fun and thrilling but it has a different side to it. Everything feels entertaining until any participant faces a life-threatening injury. There have been multiple accidents during events or practices that have taken a toll on the physical health of the jockeys and the equines. Which causes a threat to their careers.

Keeping these mishaps in mind, there are multiple support and charity groups that act as a helping hand for the victims. Recently, the American Thoroughbred horse racing track lent a hand towards the needy. After a race of this ongoing live race season, the jockeys huddled up to gather donations for the permanently injured riders.

The Delaware racetrack attempt to make equestrian community a good place 

Located just outside the city of Wilmington, Delaware Park has its 86th season of live racing. It started on the 24th of May and will end on the 28th of October. It is generally conducted on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. According to the Thoroughbred Daily News, after the race on the 9th of September 2023, the Delaware Park Casino & Racing, the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund, and the Delaware Park Jockeys Association amassed to donate a whopping amount of $20,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

They gave the check after the tenth race on Saturday. Over the course of the live racing season, each jockey donated a dollar from each of their mount fees. Following them, the Jockeys Health and Welfare Benefit Fund, the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and other associations matched the dollar. The total amount gathered was donated to the PDJF at the end of the season. This is a very big and kind step toward the sufferings of the victim and the chairman of the Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Fun Board was very proud of the initiative.

Authority of the Delaware associations shares thoughts about the fund 

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) is a public charity that provides financial help to the 60 ex-jockeys who have been victimized by on-track injuries. It was founded in 2006 and since then has collected $11 million dollars for the jockeys. There are multiple players who have sustained brain injuries or paralysis, this funding has been a great source of their assistance.

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Delaware Park has raised a decent amount of funds for this association. And its chairman is more than happy to do something for the ones who lost so much for their careers. Ed Stegemeier, the chairman of the association expressed, “We could not be happier today to come together for this presentation. I am particularly honored with the method of having all the groups coming together to make this important contribution possible.”  He found Delaware to be fortunate enough to have such an exceptional jockey colony for so long and not just as riders, but as leaders.

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