Fundraising

Churchill Downs has launched Gallop for Good: From Race to Retirement ("Gallop for Good"), a national online giving campaign supporting Thoroughbred aftercare nonprofits, centered around a one-day giving event on Churchill's Stephen Foster Day, June 27. Gallop for Good supports Thoroughbred aftercare, which includes programs and services that help retired racehorses transition into second careers, adoption, rehabilitation, sanctuary and lifelong care after racing. Hosted by CDI, the campaign will operate through a centralized online platform, giving participating organizations the opportunity to raise critical funds, expand their reach and engage new...

The Real Rider Cup, a charity show jumping competition created to support Thoroughbred aftercare, has partnered with Breeders' Cup Charities and Keeneland for its 10th anniversary year, each of whom will field a team of riders and have committed to match their respective team's total raised up to $5,000. Set for Saturday, July 11th in Lexington, KY, the Real Rider Cup encourages participating riders to pledge fundraising efforts for RRC beneficiaries, all while increasing awareness and "fostering a spirit of collaboration and community between the racing, aftercare, and equestrian industries."...

The New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program will raise over $100,000 in its 16th Annual Breeders' Cup Pledge, the organization announced Tuesday. This year's results were boosted by two Future Stars Friday winners connected to pledge participants: Ted Noffey (Into Mischief), representing Spendthrift Farm and Todd Pletcher, and Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), representing Coolmore and Partners. Additionally, multiple pledged horses also placed throughout the Breeders' Cup, including Brussels (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Percy's Bar (Upstart), Ground Support (Army Mule), Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), The Lion in Winter (Ire)...

The Backside Learning Center (BLC) will host its largest annual fundraiser, 'Benefits for the Backside: A Day at the Races', Friday, Nov. 21 in the First Turn Club at Churchill Downs, the non-profit announced via press release. Set to begin at noon, guests will enjoy a day at the races with front row views from the clubhouse turn while celebrating and supporting backstretch workers and their families. An auction will be available both in-person and online, and a raffle will be held for a chance to win a Derby or...

Following a month-long fundraising effort, Delaware Park presented a check in the amount of $12,000 to the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), designated as the charity of the month for June. Jay Scott, the father of Alex Scott, accepted the check on behalf of the foundation, which supports funding research to find a cure for childhood cancer, an area which remains underfunded, according to ALSF. During the month of June, Delaware Park collected donations from casino visitors through donation boxes and redemption machines. Employees were also able to contribute by...

The Jana Domino Thoroughbred Foundation (JDTF)'s annual hay drive has kicked off to provide funds for New York-based off-track Thoroughbred organizations, the group announced Friday afternoon. In addition to the drive, the JDTF is offering challenge grants to help horse care facilities raise their profile as well as funding hay purchases. Anyone interested in participating via donation, or any New York-based charitable organization that wishes to apply for a Hay Drive matching gift, can contact Carl Domino at cjdomino@gmail.com. "Hay is the number one need for all equine rescue centers...

The Retired Racehorse Project's 2024 year-end giving campaign will include a total goal of $100,000, including a $38,700 match pledge that will double contributions from donors who support the organization's charitable mission to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. The campaign comes on the eve of the RRP's 15-year anniversary in 2025. The match pledge is generously donated by Valerie Callcott-Stevens; Copper Beech Stables; The Happy Dog Fund; Hinkle Farms; Dr. Carolyn Karlson; Jen Roytz and Dr. Stuart Brown; and additional Makeover Champions. "The RRP's work spans multiple equine industry...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's third annual Holiday Giving Campaign will begin Dec. 1 and continue through the month of December. The campaign is designed to increase awareness for accredited organizations engaged in ensuring a quality life for equine athletes once their racing days are through. Last year's campaigned raised better than $200,000 for accredited aftercare. "Our accredited aftercare organizations continue to make a profound difference in the lives of retired racehorses, providing them with the care and futures they deserve," said Jeffrey Bloom, President, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. "Each donation to...

A bumper crowd of 3,000 people turned out to celebrate the life of Keagan Kirkby at Wincanton Racecourse on Sunday, October 27. The Keagan Kirkby Raceday included a charity memorial race in his name, in addition to a seven-race card, and raised funds for Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF)--the two charities which supported Kirkby's friends, family and colleagues after he tragically died in a point-to-point accident in February. In total, the raceday has raised an estimated £116,000 which will be split equally between Racing Welfare and the...

Many well-known figures from across the racing industry are making their final preparations for the Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge, which takes place on Sunday, September 29. Sky Sports Racing presenters Josh Apiafi and Alex Hammond announced they were taking part in the challenge live on-air on Saturday. "You and I and 50 others from around the racing world are walking the Jurassic Coastal Challenge next Sunday in aid of Racing Welfare--a fantastic cause," said Apiafi. "We both started off working in a yard so it's great to be giving...

The Great Racing Welfare Cycle Challenge raised £50,000 for the charity over the weekend, with 60 cyclists taking to their bikes for a 24-hour tag team challenge around Newmarket and surrounding areas. Starting from its base at Newmarket's Rowley Mile, the challenge involved 10 teams of four to eight people. The teams tackled 34-kilometre loops continuously from midday Saturday to midday Sunday, with two from each team on course at any one time. Overall, the cyclists completed a total of around 12,000 kilometres across the course of the challenge. The...

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation will host its annual Fashionable Fillies Luncheon honoring their former Executive Director, the late Nancy Kelly who, over the course of her 32-year career, helped thousands of individuals in need in addition to organizing fundraising events and creating the inaugural Fashionable Fillies Luncheon. The event will be held in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., at Saratoga National Golf Club Monday, August 5. The theme of this year's luncheon is 'All Things Nancy!'. The event will feature shopping for handbags from Kent Stetson and Lisi Lerch, shoes...