Ron Turcotte
Ron’s riding career ended abruptly on July 13, 1978, after a devastating fall at Belmont Park that left him paralyzed. He dedicated his life to advocacy for disabled jockeys.
WHO WE ARE
The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF)Â is a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries, predominantly paralysis and/or brain injuries. Since its 2006 inception, the fund has dispersed nearly $14 million.
OUR WHY
Many of the jockeys we assist were injured in their 20s and 30s, leaving them to face the majority of their lives with a permanent disability. With their careers cut short, they have lost both their income and the opportunity to build a financial safety net, making it difficult to support themselves and their families.
Their medical needs are significant and often require daily assistance. Rising health care costs add another layer of challenge for these courageous individuals who once rode every day.
OUR MISSION
The PDJF is committed to reaching out to the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse industries, their business partners, and the passionate racing fans for support. We are actively building an endowment to ensure the fund becomes self-sustaining. While the endowment grows, we rely on your generosity to continue providing essential support to permanently disabled jockeys, helping them meet their day-to-day needs with dignity and care.

NEWS: PDJF has been awarded a grant from the TCA (August 2025)
RECIPIENT'S STORIES
Ron’s riding career ended abruptly on July 13, 1978, after a devastating fall at Belmont Park that left him paralyzed. He dedicated his life to advocacy for disabled jockeys.
Stacy suffered such severe brain injuries that doctors gave her little chance to survive. They removed a portion of her skull to allow swelling to subside. She requires constant care.
Thrown to the ground after pulling up his mount, Tad sustained a broken neck and other serious injuries. He was placed on a ventilator and underwent a nine-hour surgery to insert screws and plates into his neck and spine.
At age 27, his riding days suddenly ended in a horrific accident. Gary was thrown to the ground and another horse and rider fell over him.
OUR TESTIMONIALS
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A DAY IN THE LIFE
Peek into a day in the lives of former jockeys Anne von Rosen, Jack Fires, Michael Straight, and Stacy Burton: inspirational ambassadors for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund (PDJF).
PDJF — which celebrated the 10th anniversary of its founding in 2016 — is grateful for and blessed to have many supporters and friends. But did you know that the PDJF does not yet have a guaranteed, permanent funding mechanism? The jockeys we support rely entirely on YOUR donations. In the 10 years PDJF has been in existence it has not been able to increase the monthly stipend each of its beneficiaries receives.
Please help us continue to provide help and hope to all the permanently disabled jockeys we assist. Learn more about the PDJF and donate. WE THANK YOU!
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