Laura has been involved in the race horse industry since the day she was born. Previously, she and her husband (Cody Joiner) operated Circle CJ Racing, LLC. Today they are involved in breeding and racing not only quarter horses but also thoroughbreds.

Jim has been in the horse industry his whole life. His Mother is a trainer and father was a jockey. He spent 15 years in the hunter/jumper discipline, then transitioned to the racing industry. Sam was a great friend, and with being the son of a jockey, this mission is close to his heart.

Dave Weaver grew up in Cypress, CA and had a passion for horse racing at a very young age. He attended the races at Los Alamitos frequently through his adolescent years and sold tip sheets in front of the racetrack as one of his first jobs. After graduating Cypress High School in 1992 and attending Cypress College with a focus on journalism, he went to work at Hollywood Park as assistant editor of the racetrack’s daily program. In 1999 he accepted a position at the start-up horse racing network TVG. His job title originally started out as a researcher, providing on-air hosts with information and statistics about the races they were broadcasting. But after a few short years he was in front of the camera, eventually covering prestigious events such as the All American Futurity and Preakness Stakes.

Mike Abadir is an NFL Sports Agent and has been representing athletes over the last ten years. In addition, he also hosts a sports radio talk show on Thursday mornings. Originally from Northern California, Mike graduated from U.C. San Diego and later received his law degree from John F. Kennedy University School of Law. He is certified as a player-agent by the NFLPA, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.

A lifelong fan of horse racing, this will be Mike’s fourth year serving on the STMF Board.

Nolton is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. He has been an active member of the horse racing community for most of his career. As the son of a jockey, he is especially proud to be part of The Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation for Disabled Jockeys.

9,530 career victories
Belmont Stakes (1982, 1983, 1984)
Kentucky Derby (1984)
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (1985, 1986, 1988)
Breeders’ Cup Classic (1986)
Breeders’ Cup Distaff (1989, 1990)
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (1993)
United States Champion Jockey by earnings
(1970-1974, 1979, 1985)
George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award (1970)
United States Champion Jockey by wins (1971)
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame(1975)
Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey
(1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1985)
Eclipse Special Award (1999)
Big Sport of Turfdom Award (2000)

Eddie Garcia has been a jockey for the past 30 years. During his remarkable career, Eddie has ridden in more than 18,500 races. He is best known for winning more races at Los Alamitos race track in California than any other jockey in the track’s history. It is common knowledge that no other jockey has even a remote chance of beating this historic record.

Eddie’s pledge to the Foundation is to support all events and to reach out to disabled jockeys who could benefit from our support. Eddie’s determination and energy as a jockey and now as a  board member will make a positive difference. Sam would be proud to know that Eddie serves on the board that carries his name.

Steve is the Vice President of Event and Premium Markets for Montana Silversmiths. As the premier brand in the award buckle business, Montana Silversmiths, wants you to know they are proud to make the buckles for the Sam Thompson Memorial Foundation, as they are to make the World Champion buckles for the PRCA, PBR, WPRA, AQHA, NRHA. They also make the champion’s buckles for other prestigious events such as the WNFR, RNCFR, The Pendleton Roundup, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Calgary Stampede, California Rodeo Salinas, Dodge City Round Up, George Strait Team Roping Championships, and many, many more.