Sam Houston Race Park will host a silent auction to benefit the Jockey Crisis Fund on Saturday, January 21. The fund supports jockeys who have been injured and have been forced to refrain from their riding careers, either long or short-term. The riders and their families bear a large financial burden with the mounting medical expenses and living expenses.

The Jockey Crisis Fund was established in 2002 in an effort to help rider, Terry Stanton, who suffered serious injuries in a racing accident. Since its inception, the fund has assisted over 30 riders at Sam Houston Race Park, according to racetrack chaplain, John Shumaker.

“The members of the Sam Houston Race Park jockey colony are essential to the success of our live racing program,” said Shumaker. “While we do everything to protect our riders, injuries can occur when a rider is aboard a 1,000 pound racehorse at speeds of 35 - 40 m.p.h. Trainers, owners and racing fans have expressed an interest in helping injured riders and their families. We look forward to raising funds to assist our jockeys in their times of need.”

The silent auction will take place during live racing at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, January 21. Auction items will include donations from some of Houston’s professional sports teams including the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Comets and Houston Aeros. Racing memorabilia will include a photograph of Afleet Alex and a Peb Portfolio donated by the Daily Racing Form. Patrons can also bid on dining opportunies including dinner at the famous Smith & Wollensky restaurant and a Super Bowl party for eight at the Sam Houston Race Park Jockey Club.

Jockey Patrick Boxie is one of the many riders in the Sam Houston Race Park colony who has been assisted by the Jockey Crisis Fund. Boxie was out of action from November 16 through January 6 with broken ribs and was grateful to the fund for supporting him when he was unable to ride.

“I was out for seven weeks and the fund really helped me out,” acknowledged Boxie. “You don’t want to have to tap your savings when you are injured and can’t ride and the fund really got me out of a pickle. I hope that our fans will bid on items for this year’s Jockey Crisis Fund silent auction.”

The evening’s events will start with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. and the running of the first live Thoroughbred race at 7:00 p.m., including the $100,000 MAXXAM Gold Cup. Admission to the park is only $1 for the month of January and parking is only $3. For more information, please call 281-807-8760 or visit www.shrp.com.