The Jockeys' Guild board met in a conference call with California sports agent Dwight Manley on Friday evening to accept his employment agreement to take over the top management post of the riders' organization.The late call became necessary because the Guild had withdrawn the offer the previous day, Guild attorney Tom Kennedy said. The resolution culminated a day of confusion over whether there was an agreement in the prolonged negotiations."We have resolved all of our differences and are moving forward," Kennedy said. "We have a signed contract. Dwight Manley has been hired by the Jockeys' Guild."Manley has been negotiating details of his proposed employment to lead the Guild under the watchful eye of a concerned racing industry for more than a month. According to Kennedy, board members voted Thursday to withdraw their employment offer to Manley after failing to reach an agreement over terms regarding compensation and length of contract. However, according to Manley's lawyer, Christopher Pitet, Manley decided on Friday to accept the previously offered terms of the Guild."The Guild presented Mr. Manley with what they deemed a 'final proposal' and Mr. Manley has decided to accept that proposal," Pitet said Friday afternoon. Petit declined to comment on the terms provided by the contract. Kennedy also declined to discuss terms or further conditions when reached for comment on Friday.
At Saratoga Race Course on Friday, Jockeys' Guild Chairman John Velazquez referred all questions to the organization's legal counsel.