SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Sept. 7, 2019) – Brian Elmore, executive director of the Indiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and former vice president of racing for Centaur Gaming, has been named to the Jockeys & Jeans board. Elmore, a native of Sullivan, Ind. was instrumental in getting the event to Indiana in 2015, raising in excess of $200,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). The event also kickstarted Jockeys & Jeans onto a national platform for the annual event that now travels to different racetracks each year to raise funding and awareness for PDJF.
“Brian helped formulate a plan to make our event a real moneymaker,” stated Barry Pearl, president of Jockeys and Jeans. “For that, I am eternally grateful.”
Elmore was presented with the prestigious Eddie Arcaro Award by the National Jockeys Guild in 2016 at Gulfstream Park. He was recognized for his outstanding service to the industry and work for the betterment of jockeys. At the 2019 Jockeys & Jeans event, Elmore, on behalf of the Indiana HBPA, presented a check for $10,000 during the fundraiser held at Santa Anita Park. Elmore included a passionate speech about how he was affected by the death of Juan Saez, who perished in a racing incident at Indiana Grand in the fall of 2014 and was at the hospital when Juan passed away, stating “Juan went to ride with the angels.”
According to Jockey’s Guild statistics, Juan was the 153rd jockey killed in racing incidents since 1940.
Elmore pledged to work with the PDJF, the Jockey’s Guild, and other organizations to improve the funding for approximately 60 permanently disabled riders who have not received any increases in their $1,000 monthly stipend in 13 years.
“We have a problem in this industry and it is establishing a permanent funding mechanism for our disabled jockeys,” said Elmore. “Also, we need to ensure that there is adequate life insurance available for riders who pay the ultimate price and lose their life while performing their craft. It is difficult enough for family and loved ones to deal with the loss of a family member. The last thing they need to worry about is how they will financially move forward and provide for their families. The reason our industry needs to resolve these issues is simple – do the right thing.”
“Brian’s speech brought home the need to support permanently disabled jockeys and touched the hearts of all that heard it,” Pearl added. “Horse people like Brian see up close racing accidents and understand all too well the plight of disabled riders. This year 21 horsemen’s groups from around the nation proved they care by donating to our event and we are extremely grateful to all. We could not have elevated our cause to the level we are now without numerous individuals donating their time and resources and organizations like the Indiana HBPA in which Elmore serves.”
Elmore joins two-time Triple Crown winning and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert as the only non-jockey ambassadors for Jockeys & Jeans. The organization is an all-volunteer group founded by former jockeys who have raised over $1.2 million for the PDJF in less than six years.
For more information on Jockeys and Jeans, contact Pearl at (717) 503-0182 or via email at Jockeysandjeans@gmail.com.
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