When manley took over the Jockey Guild, he came in with guns blazing, fingers-pointing and Jesse Jackson to boot. I was offended that an institution rife with corruption would find as a spokesperson and leader such a devisive character. Instead of coming in and discussing what can be done to help the jockeys, he accused the sport of greed and lack of sympathy. Instead of bringing us together (owners, tracks, jockeys) in a spirit of partnership and good will, he accused us, and divided us into separate camps.
And now, a glimmer of hope and reason:
--------------------------------------------- article -------------------------------------------
Delaware Jockeys Help Pay for $2M Insurance Policy
by Jason Shandler
Delaware Park Jockeys Association president Robert Colton said April 17 a landmark deal that gives riders at Delaware Park the most comprehensive insurance coverage of any racetrack in North America has been finalized.
Colton said the Delaware Park Jockeys Health and Welfare Board unanimously approved a deal that will more than double the current policy for jockeys, “send a strong statement to the horse racing industry,” and set a precedent for jockey insurance coverage.
As of midnight April 18, jockeys at Delaware Park will be entitled to $2 million in on-track accident insurance, up from the $1-million policy that they currently have. Coverage length will increase from 24 months to 60 months.
In addition, the policy will afford injured riders $500 per week in disability pay and $100,000 in accidental death and dismemberment benefits, both double what the original policy offers.
For the first time in the industry, Colton said, jockeys themselves will be financially responsible for some of the insurance coverage. Each Delaware Park rider will pay $4 per mount to offset a portion of the policy. The remainder of the cost will be paid for by the health and welfare board.
“We took a philosophical change in our approach,” Colton said. “In the past, the Jockeys’ Guild tried to take the position that we were employees. But we are not employees. We are independent contactors, and as riders, there is an inherent risk involved. The jockeys had to finally stand up and take part of the financial responsibility and stop pointing fingers. For the first time ever, we were willing to do that.
“We approached Delaware Park and asked if we could add to the current policy that they have in place--really just piggyback on top of what is already existing. We researched it and figured out what it would cost each rider to have the best coverage possible. This is, to my knowledge, the highest level of benefits at any racetrack. Everyone agreed that it was well worth $4 per mount.”
Colton, a retired jockey and former Guild official, said that every jockey who rides at Delaware Park is entitled to the insurance coverage, but that it is optional. He also gave credit to Delaware Park general manager Bill Fasy, Delaware Park Jockeys Health and Welfare Board chairman Ed Stegemeier, and insurance broker John Unick for helping make the deal possible.
In 2004, Delaware Park became the first racetrack to offer $1 million in on-track accident insurance. Colton said as long as jockeys are willing to accept some of the cost, similar deals can be reached at any racetrack in the country.
“I don’t see why it can’t happen anywhere else,” Colton said. “It’s out there and available to anyone. As one of our jockeys said, ‘You would have to be brain-dead not to want coverage like this.’ It is a level of insurance that riders have never seen before.”
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I don't know Colton, but that was brilliant. Congrats. If the Guild had any brains, this guy should take over.
Cheers.
Faith Restored.
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CA Michael
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Let's face it, Jesse Jackson is one of the original architects of class warfare and his puppy dog Manley is well placed to forward that movement. Fools like John Velasquez who are responsible for hiring him really should stick to their trade instead of acting as change agents.
Hopefully the cooler heads among the jockey colony will ultimately take back control of their organization.
Hopefully the cooler heads among the jockey colony will ultimately take back control of their organization.
Re: Faith Restored.
dray33 wrote:“In the past, the Jockeys’ Guild tried to take the position that we were employees. But we are not employees. We are independent contactors, and as riders, there is an inherent risk involved. The jockeys had to finally stand up and take part of the financial responsibility and stop pointing fingers. For the first time ever, we were willing to do that.
It's nice to hear that they are finally facing reality. The whole "wanting the best of both worlds / denial of reality" thing was really getting on my nerves. Statements like this will go a long way toward earning back some of my respect.
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"Don't be a boorish buffoon" -Hokies Respect 'Jerk Alert'
"Don't be a boorish buffoon" -Hokies Respect 'Jerk Alert'
I got a hold of Mr. Colton and spent about 20 minutes on the phone with him. Wow, he seems like quite a straight shooter. I invited him to this board, I hope he comes and discusses his views and answers any questions with us. What he has done in Delaware will certainly raise some eyebrows!
VERY INTERESTING stuff...
VERY INTERESTING stuff...
Hi, I am Robert Colton, the director of the Delaware Jockeys Association (DJA). I would like to thank both of you for your kind comments. The DJA has a couple more programs coming online in the next couple of weeks that will further restore your faith in jockeys. I don't want to compromise the programs at this time with a pre-announcement, but will provide the full details at the appropriate time.
We are a struggling industry, and as many of the industries that have gone out of business, we have spent more time and energy fighting amongst ourselves than try to survive/revive horse racing. Hopefully the jockeys at Delaware have lit a candle to help lead the rest of our brother and sister jockeys out of the darkness.
Please feel free to address any questions or comments towards me. Don't be afraid of hurting my feelings, I'm a turtle as a result of 30 years of riding.
We are a struggling industry, and as many of the industries that have gone out of business, we have spent more time and energy fighting amongst ourselves than try to survive/revive horse racing. Hopefully the jockeys at Delaware have lit a candle to help lead the rest of our brother and sister jockeys out of the darkness.
Please feel free to address any questions or comments towards me. Don't be afraid of hurting my feelings, I'm a turtle as a result of 30 years of riding.
For that level of coverage ("As of midnight April 18, jockeys at Delaware Park will be entitled to $2 million in on-track accident insurance, up from the $1-million policy that they currently have. Coverage length will increase from 24 months to 60 months. In addition, the policy will afford injured riders $500 per week in disability pay and $100,000 in accidental death and dismemberment benefits, both double what the original policy offers.):
Quick question: Is that all being covered at 4 dollars per mount? Is it a blend? How is the payment structured?
Not sure you can answer those yet, just wondering... when you get the chance Robert...
Quick question: Is that all being covered at 4 dollars per mount? Is it a blend? How is the payment structured?
Not sure you can answer those yet, just wondering... when you get the chance Robert...
The excess program is through AIG and sits on top of the current AIG plan in effect at Delaware. Delaware Park remains as the policy holder, with the costs to be paid through the Delaware Jockeys Health and Welfare Fund. We will charge each jockey $4 per mount on a voluntary basis and the Fund will match the $4 for a total of $8 per mount. The policy runs $560 per day based on Delaware Park's 2006 field size average - 7 per race x 10 races.
FYI about the Delaware Jockey Fund. This was created in 1996 through state legislation and gives $350,000 annual for benefits for jockeys who ride regularly in DE, retire DE jocks, disabled jocks, and each of their families. The jockeys ask to have some of their personal health benefit money diverted to the excess on track.
The excess on track program can actually be purchased at any AIG insured track in two tier levels of coverage. Each tier of coverage would cost $4 per mount and provide $500,000 of medical coverage, thus the additional million. In Delaware, the jockeys bought both tiers. The disability benefit is $125 per week for the first tier and $175 for the second.
Having two additional levels make the program affordable at smaller tracks. Also gives the local jockeys an incentive to find creative alternative funding solutions. Examples would be redistributing the jockey fee pay scale so all the money doesn't go to the winning jockey or using the "media rights" payments if the local track is paying the Jockeys Guild. I imagine there might even be owners who would be willing to match along as the riders pay. Add a waiver of liability against suing the horse owner. There are lots of possibilities available without threatening people.
FYI about the Delaware Jockey Fund. This was created in 1996 through state legislation and gives $350,000 annual for benefits for jockeys who ride regularly in DE, retire DE jocks, disabled jocks, and each of their families. The jockeys ask to have some of their personal health benefit money diverted to the excess on track.
The excess on track program can actually be purchased at any AIG insured track in two tier levels of coverage. Each tier of coverage would cost $4 per mount and provide $500,000 of medical coverage, thus the additional million. In Delaware, the jockeys bought both tiers. The disability benefit is $125 per week for the first tier and $175 for the second.
Having two additional levels make the program affordable at smaller tracks. Also gives the local jockeys an incentive to find creative alternative funding solutions. Examples would be redistributing the jockey fee pay scale so all the money doesn't go to the winning jockey or using the "media rights" payments if the local track is paying the Jockeys Guild. I imagine there might even be owners who would be willing to match along as the riders pay. Add a waiver of liability against suing the horse owner. There are lots of possibilities available without threatening people.
As an owner, I'd be very willing to match, especially at $4. It's always worried me, how I'd feel if someone got hurt on my horse.
"When I am on my deathbed, I imagine I will say, 'Thank God I did that'" - Arthur Hancock, on buying back Gato del Sol from Europe after Exceller was killed in a slaughterhouse in Sweden.
Delaware Park pays for the first $1 million of coverage. The second is paid for by the jockeys. The horse owners do not pay anything, well, not directly.
The side note to who pays is where the Delaware Jockeys Health Fund money is derived from. Under state statue, Delaware Park must pay $175,00 per year and $175,000 is taken from the purse account. The horsemen feel they pay for it, but whose money does the purse belong to until it is earned? My arguement here is the very same one that has been used by horsemen for years. Under the IHA, the track must have a contract with the local horsemen in order to have simulcasting. To the best of my knowledge, every contract ever signed has included a percentage of the purse going to the local horsmen's group. No percent has ever gone to a jockeys' group. I have been repeatedly told by the leaders' of a horsemen group that the money is "theirs". The 2 to 7 (in PA) percent adds up to an enormous loss of purses to jockeys. I fully understand the value the horsemen's group provide and how the jockeys indirectly and directly benefit from this, but how can jockeys compete and be fairly represented with such deep pockets as these groups and with the tracks?
So dancing around the question of who is paying, the money at Delaware is given by state law to the jockeys. It is the "jockeys' money" and as such they should be allowed, as any horsemen group is, to spend it as they see fit. In the past it was used just to provide for the "regular" Delaware riders (we have a riding minimum to become eligible). We decided to use part of the money to provided bettter on track coverage for all Delaware jockeys.
Instead of debating who is paying, I will just instead thank the wagering fans. They really are paying for ALL of the on track benefits.
The side note to who pays is where the Delaware Jockeys Health Fund money is derived from. Under state statue, Delaware Park must pay $175,00 per year and $175,000 is taken from the purse account. The horsemen feel they pay for it, but whose money does the purse belong to until it is earned? My arguement here is the very same one that has been used by horsemen for years. Under the IHA, the track must have a contract with the local horsemen in order to have simulcasting. To the best of my knowledge, every contract ever signed has included a percentage of the purse going to the local horsmen's group. No percent has ever gone to a jockeys' group. I have been repeatedly told by the leaders' of a horsemen group that the money is "theirs". The 2 to 7 (in PA) percent adds up to an enormous loss of purses to jockeys. I fully understand the value the horsemen's group provide and how the jockeys indirectly and directly benefit from this, but how can jockeys compete and be fairly represented with such deep pockets as these groups and with the tracks?
So dancing around the question of who is paying, the money at Delaware is given by state law to the jockeys. It is the "jockeys' money" and as such they should be allowed, as any horsemen group is, to spend it as they see fit. In the past it was used just to provide for the "regular" Delaware riders (we have a riding minimum to become eligible). We decided to use part of the money to provided bettter on track coverage for all Delaware jockeys.
Instead of debating who is paying, I will just instead thank the wagering fans. They really are paying for ALL of the on track benefits.