2025 Jockeys & Jeans Benefit at Gulfstream Park
Dr. Gregory Beroza, aka HorseDoc® ‘Talking Horses’®, was onsite at the Jockeys & Jeans Benefit for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Read on for more about the event and fund.
Photo by GBeroza
The 2025 Jockeys and Jeans Fundraiser to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund took place on January 10th-11th, at Gulfstream Park Racetrack in Hallandale Beach, Florida. It was a spectacular reunion of the best jockeys in the country and many of their injured brothers and sisters who are supported by the non-profit organization.
Tickets were sold to the public to mingle and dine with the jockeys, and afterwards to attend the auction. The jockeys graciously took photos with all adoring fans and signed their personal memorabilia along with items made available for this occasion.
Triple Crown winning jockey Jean Cruguet. He jockeyed Seattle Slew in the 1977. Photo by GBeroza.
Hall of Fame Jockeys Laffit Pincay & Julie Krone. Photo by GBeroza.
For many of the jockeys it was a unique opportunity to exchange personal stories with both the public and many of their formerly competitive colleagues. Some jockeys hadn’t personally interacted in several years, so the reunion was emotional for many.
As the crowd gathered, the jockeys filtered in to interact. There were several connected tables behind which each jockey was seated. Memorabilia of the occasion were graciously signed by the crowd’s favorite jockeys were available to the public. Stories were told and even the most hardened gamblers stopped to give a shout-out to the riders.
Dinner tribute to all fallen jockeys. Photo by GBeroza.
Hall of Fame jockeys Jorge Velasquez & Jerry Bailey. Photo by GBeroza.
Equally heartwarming was the attention given by many legendary jockeys to their disabled brothers and sisters. It was often stated that ‘their careers were knowingly dangerous’ and unfortunately for a few their lives as jockeys ended prematurely due to injuries.
A wonderful buffet followed with seated dining, then introduction of the jockeys, and the event concluded with a live auction and an opportunity for everyone to donate through their purchases to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund via the Jockeys and Jeans event. Special guests included ‘Little Anthony’ of the Imperials and actor Joseph R. Gannascoli of Sopranos ‘Gayfella’ fame.
‘Little Anthony’ with jockeys Sidney Underwood, Mike Straight, & Armando Rivera. Photo by GBeroza.
Auctioneer John R. Gannascoli. Photo by J&J Soldham.
At the end of the day’s event, Gulfstream Park ran a special race to benefit the Jockeys and Jeans occasion, and a donation was made by 1st Racing to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The Winner’s Circle was filled with attendees, including almost all formerly competitive jockeys. This was the largest collection ever of Hall of Fame and Legendary jockeys in one place at one time.
Jockeys Javier Castellano, Pat Day, Ramone Dominguez, John Velazquez, & Tyler Gaffalione. Photo by GBeroza.
Next year’s fundraiser will be hosted in Florida at Tampa Bay Downs. This was the track where in 1981 now Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone, then a 17-year-old apprentice, won her first career race and where many legendary jocks also got their starts. In March of 2015, Tampa Bay Downs played host to the first Jockeys and Jeans barbeque luncheon to benefit the Permanently Disabled Riders Fund.
Here is a 12.5 minute video of the day’s events, including live interviews, many pictures, and additional details:
Dr. Gregory A. Beroza, DVM, DACVS, DABVP has been a practicing veterinarian and consultant for 42 years; and HorseDoc® ‘Talking Horses’® media host, author, and consultant since 2007. Dr. Beroza is a multimedia host and broadcasts his productions, including a new Podcast, via his WuzUpDoc Media website: www.WuzUpDoc.com. He can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and other social media sources.
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