JC / Railbird

Jockeys’ Insurance Archive

Lawsuit Demands Audit

Ousted Jockeys’ Guild treasurer Eddie King Jr. has filed a lawsuit demanding an audit of the organization’s finances. Among other things, the suit gives some insight into Guild president Wayne Gertmenian’s fundraising strategy: “Dr. Gertmenian, emphasizing the fact that he had a Ph.D., and that Mr. King had a limited educational background, informed Mr. King that he wished to divest the fund of $1-million to create the illusion that the fund was in financial trouble, thereby encouraging donations from wealthy benefactors of the fund.” (Thoroughbred Times)
Related: “Kent Desormeaux, a board member of the Jockeys’ Guild, said Tuesday that he has begun an inquiry into the qualifications of the organization’s president, L. Wayne Gertmenian.” (Daily Racing Form)
Also: “The management company that represents jockey Jerry Bailey sent a cease and desist letter to Jockeys’ Guild president Dr. Wayne Gertmenian and Guild vice president Albert Fiss Nov. 19. The letter requested they stop accusing Bailey of having played a role in canceling insurance policies that benefited jockeys.” (Blood-Horse)

Posted in Jockeys' Insurance on November 24, 2004

This’ll Be Resolved Soon

The panel formed by the NTRA in response to the jockeys’ insurance crisis met for the first time on Monday and appointed a six-member committee to come up with recommendations for providing riders with “adequate and affordable” coverage. (Daily Racing Form)
More: “Jockey-insurance meeting called productive” (Courier-Journal)

Posted in Jockeys' Insurance on November 23, 2004

Questions, Questions

Jockey Guild president L. Wayne Gertmenian comes under scrutiny, and the findings don’t look good for him or the Guild: “A background check by Daily Racing Form suggests there is little or no evidence that Gertmenian served in the important government posts he described. Claims of being a radio talk show host and author appear to be supported only by self-published work and purchased broadcast time. Descriptions of positions on some company boards in the resume appear to be inaccurate, according to company filings or representatives of the businesses themselves.”
Related: “A top official with the Jockeys’ Guild has questioned the purpose of a new task force on insurance and indicated a resolution wouldn’t be reached until the industry recognizes it must deal with Dr. Wayne Gertmenian.” (Blood-Horse)

Posted in Jockeys' Insurance on November 20, 2004

Jumping at the Chance

“Rodney Trader has ridden races for 20 of his 36 years. But when he came to Kentucky this spring, it was as an exercise rider — someone who gets horses ready in the morning for someone else to ride in the afternoon.
“Yet horse racing is a game based on twists and unexpected turns. And last week, with Churchill embroiled in a controversy over accident insurance for jockeys, Trader began doing something he’d never experienced before: He rode in races under the shadow of the fabled Twin Spires.
“Trader can be called a replacement rider. And he sounds mystified that 14 jockeys would have refused to ride, especially given purses so lucrative a jockey can make as much on losing mounts as an exercise rider makes.” (Courier-Journal)
Related: “The inherent danger of an occupation does not mitigate the fact that jockeys are independent contractors without allegiance or contractual obligation. Life does not come with all expenses paid and this is the life they have chosen,” writes Paul Moran (Newsday); Matt Graves says, “Insurance for jockeys needs boost” (Times Union); and “Jockeys differ on walkout strategy” (Indy Star).

Posted in Jockeys' Insurance on November 18, 2004