The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and Kentucky Senator Bourbon teamed up on a Single Barrel Bourbon offering to benefit fallen riders. The 140-bottle release is part of the Jim Bunning Release commemorating the legacy of the Hall of Fame Baseball player and former Kentucky Senator who worked to advance Kentucky’s two signature industries, Bourbon and Thoroughbred racing.
“PDJF is so proud to be associated with such a fantastic premium brand as Kentucky Senator Bourbon. The founders understand Thoroughbred racing, and the risks jockeys face every time they get in the saddle, better than anyone,” said PDJF President Joe Clabes. “Their commitment to our cause is deeply appreciated by all our recipients. Great partnerships like this help us to sustain and increase the benefits we distribute each month and provide hope for those who have sacrificed so much for the sport we love.”
The barrel for this release was personally selected by Clabes, jockey Julien Leparoux, and Kentucky Senator Bourbon founders, Damon Thayer and Andre Regard.
Leparoux is the winner of the 2026 George Woolf Award, which recognizes the rider selected by his peers whose career and personal character exemplify excellence in the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing. Damon Thayer is a former Kentucky State Senator and an inductee to the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame for his legislative advocacy on behalf of the industry. Andre Regard, direct descendant of Bourbon pioneer Basil Hayden, carries on his family’s rich tradition. Clabes, a Beechwood High School and American University graduate, has had a long association with racing and now lives in Lexington, where he is president of PDJF.
“We are proud to be associated with the PDJF efforts to support fallen riders,” said Thayer. “We also thank our Single Barrel partners Frank & Dinos and Blinkers Tavern, and jockey Julien Leparoux for helping us select an excellent barrel of our bourbon. There are 140 bottles of this special release, and the sale of each one will benefit the PDJF.”
The Jim Bunning PDJF Limited Single Barrel Release is aged eight and a half years and bottled at barrel strength 126.4 proof. The mash bill consists of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. The bourbon is distilled and aged in Kentucky and bottled at Bardstown Bourbon Company.
Bottles can be purchased at Frank and Dinos in Lexington and Blinkers Tavern in Covington.
Kentucky Senator Spirits, LLC, Frank and Dino’s, and Blinkers Tavern will be contributing a portion of their proceeds from the sales of commemorative bottles to the PDJF.
The bottles will be featured prominently and available to purchase at the 13th Annual Frank & Dino’s PDJF Fundraiser on April 20. Tickets for this event can be purchased by contacting Frank & Dino’s by April 15 at (859) 303-4007.
An additional event will be scheduled at Blinkers Tavern for a date to be determined.
Kentucky Senator Bourbon is an award-winning small-batch Bourbon brand committed to crafting exceptional spirits with a side of American history. Each limited-edition release is named after a U.S. Senator and represents a blend of tradition, character, and U.S. heritage; it is distilled and aged in Kentucky for at least six years (the same length as a U.S. senate term), but often longer. Founded by Thayer and Regard, Kentucky Senator revives a historic brand once produced by Crigler and Crigler in Covington and later Double Springs Distillers in Bardstown. The brand launched its first revival release in 2021 and has since become known for producing richly aged, 107-proof Bourbon expressions that connect past and present.
The PDJF supports former riders who have suffered life-altering injuries. With the addition of new board members, the organization is poised to strengthen its fundraising efforts, enhance outreach, and advocate more effectively for the needs of these injured athletes.