NYRA and Jockeys’ Guild Reach Agreement Following Aqueduct Walkout
The Jockeys’ Guild and New York Racing Association have made significant progress in resolving the dispute that led to jockeys walking out after the first race at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday.
Jockeys’ Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks issued a statement Monday detailing the developments.
“NYRA and the Jockeys’ Guild had a lengthy and productive meeting (Monday) to address the issues that led to the cancellation of live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday,” Meyocks said. “This was an unfortunate event that impacted the owners, trainers and bettors who support NYRA throughout the year. Today’s meeting was an opportunity to turn the page, and we thank (NYRA Chief Executive Officer & President) David O’Rourke and his management team for their willingness to listen to the concerns of our membership and their commitment to a renewed level of communication with the riders. We look forward to the resumption of racing at Aqueduct on Thursday.”
Racing is scheduled to resume Thursday at the Big A.
NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna confirmed the positive outcome. “NYRA was pleased to participate in today’s meeting, and we look forward to a strong weekend of racing at Aqueduct,” McKenna said in a text.
The walkout stemmed from multiple issues that had been building between the New York riding colony and NYRA management over the past year. One significant point of contention was NYRA’s decision to prohibit riders’ wives, girlfriends and children from accessing the jockeys’ room, though families were still permitted in a kitchen area adjacent to the jockeys’ quarters.
Kendrick Carmouche, who serves as the New York representative for the Guild during this season, expressed strong frustration with the situation.
“I have never seen such disrespect to a jockey colony and the people who work in the jocks’ room,” Carmouche told the TDN after Sunday’s walkout.
The immediate catalyst for Sunday’s action reportedly involved NYRA Assistant Clerk of Scales Brian Pochman. According to sources, Pochman was asked to leave for the day after declining to take on additional responsibilities. NYRA had requested he manually record weights as a backup measure in case of computer system failure — a task Pochman refused to add to his existing duties. Officials confirmed Pochman was not terminated.
Carmouche defended Pochman’s position, stating the clerk had been performing well in his role and suggesting NYRA had assigned him too many responsibilities, potentially compromising his ability to fulfill his primary duties effectively.
