PDJF telethon raises record $575,000, racing community rallies support

More than $575,000 rolled in for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, a total that shattered the old mark by more than $100,000 and gave racing one of its clearest reminders that the sport’s support system can still deliver when it matters most.

The eighth annual telethon was held Saturday, April 18, and once again pulled the Thoroughbred industry into the same lane for a cause that cuts deeper than any single race. The money goes to former jockeys who suffered catastrophic on-track injuries, most often paralysis or brain injuries, and the fund says it now provides financial assistance to more than 50 riders. Since its creation in 2006, and as a freestanding 501(c)(3) public charity since 2009, PDJF says it has dispersed more than $15 million.

The jump in donations mattered because this was not just a better night at the phones. It was a clear step up from the previous record, which BloodHorse reported as more than $560,000 in 2025. PDJF said the telethon has now raised more than $2.5 million since its inaugural event in 2018, a streak that shows the fundraiser has become a reliable engine for a charity that has no guaranteed funding from within racing.

Keeneland, FanDuel TV, the New York Racing Association and Santa Anita were all involved in the 2026 broadcast, with Hall of Fame jockeys and other racing personalities taking calls live. Keeneland vice president of racing Gatewood Bell was among the familiar names attached to the effort, underscoring how major tracks have helped turn the telethon into a national industry event rather than a local appeal.

That broad reach is what gives the number its weight. Racing talks plenty about safety, but the PDJF telethon turns the conversation into direct support for riders who gave the sport their bodies and, in too many cases, paid for it with permanent damage. The record total did more than beat a fundraising mark. It showed the industry still knows where responsibility begins.