Santa Anita will honor late jockey Avery Whisman on Saturday

Santa Anita and 13 other tracks from around the country on Saturday will honor the late jockey Avery Whisman with a moment of silence. Santa Anita’s sister track Laurel Park, where Whistman primarily rode, will also hold a race named in his honor.

Whisman died suddenly on Jan. 11 at the age of 23 following what was described as a prolonged struggle with the physical and mental demands placed on jockeys. Saturday’s ceremony is designed to help shed light on mental health awareness and the challenges jockeys face. Jockeys at all participating tracks will also wear black armbands in tribute to Whisman.

“We are so very proud of our son and all he accomplished in his short life,” Whisman’s parents, Lyman and Salli, said in a statement. “In the future, we hope to raise awareness and empower dialogue within the racing industry around gaps in needed health and mental health support for its jockey athletes.”