Lane’s End Farm’s Honor Code, Vinnie and Teresa Viola’s Liam’s Map, R.S. Evans’ Tonalist, George Bolton and David Shimmon’s The Factor, Phyllis Wyeth’s Union Rags and Phipps Stable Mr Speaker, will headline a powerful online auction that will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Currently, Jockeys and Jeans has received seasons totaling some $250,000 in advertised fees. The Lane’s End donation contains the most expensive seasons donated thus far and include Honor Code ($40,000), Union Rags ($35,000), Tonalist ($30,000), Liam’s Map ($25,000), The Factor ($25,000) and Mr. Speaker ($10,000).
“My father has long been supportive of PDJF, so it is very exciting for us to have such enthusiasm from our partners for this important cause,” said Bill Farish.
These no-guarantee seasons will become part of an online auction on the well known Starquine website (www.Starquine.com). A preview of the seasons will be posted on Friday, Feb. 19. Bidding starts Monday, Feb. 22 and closes at noon EST Saturday Feb. 27.
Selected breeding seasons will be carried over to the live auction at the third annual Jockeys and Jeans fundraiser which begins at noon at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28. The event auction will be managed by Fasig-Tipton auctioneers and their announcer Terence Collier. Advance arrangements can be made on the Starquine website to bid by telephone at the live auction.
The event is the day before the Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale’ Under Tack Show with their sale of 2-year-olds set at the same track on Wednesday March 2.
This is the first stallion season auction to benefit the PDJF which supports over 60 former riders who underwent catastrophic career-ending injuries, with over half either pari or quadriplegics. Jockeys and Jeans was founded by a group of former jockeys, and in their second event last May at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, raised over $204,000 for the charity.
“The Sport of Kings has always had philanthropists who used their success to aid the less fortunate in the racing industry, and Mr. Will Farish (a PDJF Board Member) is certainly one,” said Jockeys and Jeans President, Barry Pearl. “We thank every stallion season donor and the donations from the stallion owners at Lane’s End have set the standard. Thanks to them we have hopes of breaking the record we set last year.”
The event itself honors the efforts of severely injured former riders to rebuild their lives. This year the event will honor Roger Blanco, Gary Donahue, Rene Douglas, Jack Fires, Tad Leggett, Mike Straight and Ann Von Rosen.
Scheduled to be on hand to honor them and mingle with guests are 13 Hall of Fame riders. They include Bill Boland, Walter Blum, Angel Cordero Jr., Pat Day, Sandy Hawley, Laffit Pincay, Jr., Edgar Prado, Jose Santos, Randy Romero, John Rotz, Jacinto Vasquez, Jorge Velasquez, and Manuel Ycaza.
Tickets are on sale, but seating is limited. General Admission is $50 with tickets for jockeys, former and current, set at $25. Admission includes luncheon buffet, coffee and tea, an extraordinary meet and greet and opportunity to bid on some of racing’s most treasured memorabilia.
Call 954-457-6201 Thursday-Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, or buy online at www.gulfstreampark.com
For more information or to donate a stallion season, call Barry Pearl at 717-503-0182 or Eddie Donnally at 818-653-3711. Eddonnally@gmail.com. Check the Jockeys and Jeans Facebook page and www.jockeysandjeans.com for the latest information.