Fundraiser

Second Stride, one of the nation's leading equine-adoption programs, will host its 14th annual Derby week fundraiser at Valhalla Golf Club on Monday, Apr. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Just 151 tickets will be sold and will require pre-purchase. Guests will be able to meet and mingle with a veritable racing who's who including Triple Crown winning jockey Jean Cruguet, Derby winning jockey Mike Manganello, and successful jockeys Sandy Hawley and Kaoru Tsuchiya-Hawley. NBC racing celebrity and former jockey Donna Brothers will be on hand to lend insight...

The 2025 Spring Meet Gala, presented by Payson Stud, Inc. benefitting Stable Recovery will be held Saturday, April 19 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, KY, the organization announced Tuesday. The evening will celebrate the power of philanthropy, recovery and the transformative work Stable Recovery does in helping individuals rebuild their lives. "We're honored to sponsor the Stable Recovery Gala this year," said Payson Stud's Christian Erickson. "Their approach to recovery, especially their work with horses and the Thoroughbred industry, gives individuals a sense of purpose and helps them find lasting employment....

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and his wife Leona will be honored with the newly renamed John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney Award by the New York Race Track Chaplaincy (NYRTC). The award recognizes the couple for their longstanding support of the New York backstretch community and will be presented at NYRTC's 18th Annual Fundraising Brunch to be held Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. "Johnny and Leona have demonstrated a deep commitment to the backstretch community and they continue to set...

Denise O'Brien of Clonbonny Stud, who will consign 16 lots to the Goffs December NH Sale this week, will shave her head for the Julian Benson CF Foundation at Naas on Tuesday evening. The fundraiser will assist the foundation in building Tranquility House, a 'home away from home' for children, adults and their families living with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. Over 1,400 people live with CF in Ireland. To donate and support Denise's efforts, please visit her idonate page

The 2024 Henry Cecil Open Weekend has raised a record £89,196--a 68% increase on the amount raised last year--the committee behind the event announced on Wednesday. The money will be distributed to the main charity beneficiary, the Newmarket Housing Trust, which is run by the Newmarket Trainers Group to create a portfolio of much-needed accommodation across the town for racing staff, as well as the long-standing charity partner, Racing Welfare. Trainer Charlie Fellowes, chairman of the Henry Cecil Open Weekend, said, "My sincere thanks go to all those who make...

Old Friends' HayRaiser fundraiser kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 27 and continues through Tuesday, Dec. 3. The campaign is aimed to raise funds to support the organization's herd of over 270 horses which requires in excess of 400 round bales to get through winter. "The Thanksgiving season is a perfect time to remember all of our retired Thoroughbred athletes at Old Friends," said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. "They have given so much and now it's our turn to give to them. Our ability to care for over...

The Backside Learning Center (BLC)--an independent non-profit organization providing support and resources for the diverse community of racetrack workers and their families--will hold its annual fundraiser, "Benefit for the Backside: A Day at the Races Celebrating the BLC's 20th Anniversary," Friday, Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs at noon. The public can participate online to purchase raffle tickets and bid on silent auction items. Information and specifics can be found on benefitforthebackside.com. This will be the second year the event will be held at the Churchill Downs' First Turn Club--a, spacious,...

Edited Press Release The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) is thrilled to announce the launch of its 2024 Hay Drive, supported by a generous $60,000 matching gift from the Santulli Family Foundation. This annual campaign is essential to ensure that the TRF's herd of 400 retired Thoroughbreds receives the necessary care and resources to thrive through the winter months. With a goal of raising $120,000, the TRF is calling on supporters to help fill the haylofts and provide vital sustenance to its retired horses. Rising costs have made this year's campaign...

Gulfstream Park will host the 10th annual Jockeys and Jeans event, a fundraiser for the PDJF, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. "Gulfstream Park and 1/ST are pleased to host Jockeys and Jeans during our Championship Meet, and we're proud to partner as we work together to advance and promote the welfare and security of jockeys and riders during and after their careers," said President of Racing and Business Development for 1/ST Racing Stephen Screnci. Jockeys and Jeans, which to date has raised over $3.4m and brought in $425,000 last year...

The Legacy Pickleball Club will host "Pickle for the Ponies", a family-friendly pickleball tournament benefitting the PDJF and Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga. The event, held Monday, Aug. 26 from 3-6 p.m. at the Legacy Pickleball Club in Ballston Spa, NY, will offer spectators the chance to "meet racing celebrities and support two impactful causes." Celebrity players will include members of the Saratoga jockey colony, Hall of Fame jockeys, thoroughbred Hall racing trainers and media personalities. There will also be a silent auction onsite. "As an Ambassador for Therapeutic Horses of...

The 2024 Casamigos 'For Jocks and Horses' event will be held at the Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, with all proceeds to benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund (PDJF). During the event, which will take place between 6 and 8 p.m., guests will enjoy gourmet hors d'oeuvres, a signature Casamigos cocktail made exclusively for the event and a silent auction featuring unique items and experiences. The event is expected to be attended by some of the biggest stars in...

Santa Anita Park will host a charity poker tournament to benefit the 'Folds of Honor' Foundation following a special Memorial Day card at 6:30 p.m., the track said in a release. Folds of Honor provides financial assistance to better than one million dependents adversely affected by war. Players will make a charitable donation of $300 and will take part in a full night of No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em poker and will enjoy a day at the races in Santa Anita's Stretch Run Suites. Last year's event raised more than $35,000....