In an effort to shed light on mental health awareness and the challenges jockeys face, 1/ST Racing and the Foundation for Permanently Disabled Equestrians, in collaboration with racetracks across the country , will initiate a moment of national silence on Saturday, February 18, in memory of the late jockey Avery Whisman.
The tracks are scheduled to participate in the national moment of silence, led by 1/ST attributes Laurel Park in Laurel, Md., Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., Santa Anita . Park in Arcadia, Calif. and Golden Gate Fields in Albany, California.
The jockeys at all participating races will wear black armbands in memory of Whisman, who died suddenly on January 11 at the age of 23 after a lengthy struggle with physical demands. and the spirit set out for the racers.
Laurel Park, where Whisman primarily rides in 2019-2020, will have a race named in his honor on the February 18 Winter Festival show with six stakes worth $900,000 in wallet led by General George (G3) of $250,000 and Barbara Fritchie (G3) of $250,000).
Riders, family and friends will gather in the Laurel winner’s circle after the race and observe a moment of silence.
Whisman’s parents, Lyman and Salli, said: “We are so proud of our son and all that he has achieved in his short life. In the future, we hope to raise the bar. raise awareness and empower dialogue in the racing industry about the necessary health and mental health gaps that support the well-being of its jockey athletes.”
Read: Jockey Whiskey’s death shatters those who knew him
Mike Rogers, acting president of the Maryland Jockey Club, said; “Mental health is an important aspect of overall health, regardless of your age or occupation. It is important for individuals to prioritize and take care of their mental health, and it is important. It’s important that we reach out to people who show signs of needing help.”
Terry Meyocks, president and chief executive officer of Jockeys’ Guild said; “The Jockey Association sincerely appreciates 1ST Racing’s attention to the important mental health issues and other health-related challenges affecting jockeys. These are the struggles that jockeys face. The jockeys and the Association were constantly settling.
Laurel will also distribute hats and t-shirts to raise money for the Jockeys Permanent Disability Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial support to 60 injured former jockeys. serious injury on the track. Since its founding in 2006, PDJF has disbursed nearly $11 million.
Whisman began his career with Thoroughbreds in California, where he developed a lifelong friendship with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. From 2018 to 2022, he entered 810 races with 90 wins and over $2.7 million in earnings.
In 2019, Whisman won a subsidized race on the basis of Preakness Stakes (G1), the Middle Jewel of the Crown Trio, at historic Racecourse Pimlico with children Love Music , owned by Smart Angle and coached by Mark Reid. He’s second in the riders standings behind Trevor McCarthy in Pimlico’s Preakness Meet with eight wins from 31 rides.
Link to July 2019 feature on Whisman: https://www.laurelpark.com/race-info/news/apprentice-whisman-applying-horsemanship-thoroughbreds
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
