Dullahan’s connections pledged 5% earnings of the Kentucky Derby to Rider Fund
One of the gifted athletes of any sport is jockeys, and like any other athlete, if a jockey is forced to bid farewell to the sport of horse racing, it is mainly because of a career ending injury which a jockey incurs during his horseracing spectacle that
he lays out while risking his own health.
For all the disabled jockeys there is a Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, and owner of the Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby contender, Dullahan, the Iowa based Donegal Racing along with Prairie Meadows racetrack have pledged 5% earnings of the colt in
the Kentucky Derby to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
This is a major contribution aimed at supporting disabled jockeys, and the trainer of Dullahan, Dale Romans and his jockey Kent Desormeaux, has also announced that they will contribute to the fund as well, with the Kentucky Derby earnings.
“Horse racing is a glorious sport with a rich history, and those of us who love it understand that jockeys are gifted athletes who take risks every time they take a mount,” said Jerry Crawford. “This is a great opportunity to give back and we thank Prairie
Meadows for joining us in the effort.”
“You know it’s an important and worthwhile cause when 24 people from 10 states agree without dissension,” Crawford said. “We believe in the work PDJF does to help jockeys and their families who have devoted their lives to the sport.”
The Kentucky bred son of Even the Score, out of mare Mining My Own by Smart Strike, Dullahan, is one of the major contenders to win the Kentucky Derby after colt’s breathtaking victory in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes over at Keeneland’s synthetic
surface.
Bred by Bena Halecky, Judy and Philip Needham, Dullahan was up against the 2-year-old champ, Hansen, who has also made a name for himself on the Kentucky Derby trail. Dullahan, who is considered to be the best closer, closed down Hansen in the stretch and
won the 1 1/8 mile event in 1 minute and 47.94 seconds.
Prior to the Blue Grass Stakes, Dullahan was exiting a second place finish to, Howe Great, in the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park’s turf course.
Tags: