Cathy Shircliff | Horse Racing Free Tips

Churchill Downs Pledges $150K to 20 Aftercare Organizations in Conjunction with Ky Derby

The Churchill Downs Foundation has partnered with 20 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations for the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve by pledging a $150,000 donation to support the organizations.

On Monday, Apr. 29, an aftercare post position draw will be held on the Churchill Downs backstretch where each horse in the Kentucky Derby field will be paired with an aftercare organization. Each organization is guaranteed at least a $5,000 donation from the Churchill Downs Foundation with the organization paired with the winner of the Kentucky Derby receiving a $25,000 donation. The runner-up will be awarded $20,000, the third-place finisher will receive $15,000 and fourth place will garner $10,000.

“We're thrilled to embark on this meaningful partnership with 20 of the best aftercare organizations in North America,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations for Churchill Downs Incorporated. “The Kentucky Derby is the pinnacle of Thoroughbred racing and it is all of our responsibilities to ensure every horse receives the care and support they deserve after their career on the racetrack.”

The organizations chosen this year are: After the Races, Friends of Ferdinand, Galloping Out, Horse and Hound Rescue, James River Horse Foundation, Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, New Vocations, Old Friends, Racing For Home, Remember Me Rescue, ReRun, Inc., Second Stride, Secretariat Center, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana, TRRAC, United Pegasus Foundation, Virginia Thoroughbred Project and Win Place Home.

To make a donation for each of the Kentucky Derby contenders, visit www.kentuckyderby.com/derbygives.

The post Churchill Downs Pledges $150K to 20 Aftercare Organizations in Conjunction with Ky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Churchill Downs To Match Up To $20K on New Vocations’ Giving Tuesday

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), represented by their nine racetrack properties, will match all New Vocations Giving Tuesday donations up to $20,000 in support of Thoroughbred and Standardbred aftercare. Giving Tuesday takes place five days after Thanksgiving on Nov. 28.

“CDI is pleased to jump start New Vocations' holiday giving campaign with a match donation. The work New Vocations does is vital to both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations for CDI. “On behalf of Thoroughbred tracks Churchill Downs Racetrack, Colonial Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds Race Course, Presque Isle Downs and Turfway Park and Standardbred tracks Miami Valley Gaming, Oak Grove Racing Gaming & Hotel and Ocean Downs Casino, thank you New Vocations for all that you do.”

New Vocations, which has already served 20% more horses in 2023 versus last year, relies heavily on donations to help rehab, retrain and rehome retired racehorses.

“We are very thankful for Churchill Downs Incorporated's generous match to support our Giving Tuesday campaign,” shared Anna Ford, New Vocations' Program Director. “We are happy to be able to provide our aftercare services to all of the CDI racetrack properties. The campaign will help us raise the much-needed funds to cover the increase in costs we have seen due to the influx of horses coming into the program this year.”

This year, the joy of giving is leveled up with an extra ounce of fun by featuring five unique Giving Challenges starting today. To ensure Giving Tuesday gifts are matched, and to participate in Giving Challenges, interested individuals are asked to donate by Nov. 28 at https://newvocations-givingtuesday.causevox.com/.

The post Churchill Downs To Match Up To $20K on New Vocations’ Giving Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Churchill Announces Ed Brown Society Partnership

Churchill Downs has become an Ed Brown Partner, the organization announced during a press conference with Governor Andy Beshear in attendance Wednesday morning. The Ed Brown Partnership of $50,000 is the highest level of participation in support of the work of the society, which is named in honor of Edward Dudley Brown, who was born into enslavement in Lexington, and went on to become one of the most accomplished horsemen in the history of Thoroughbred racing. The society is dedicated to increasing minority participation in the industry.

Wednesday's press conference marked the one-year anniversary of Beshear's declaration of Derby Week 2021 as “Ed Brown Society Week.”

“The Ed Brown Society has an incredibly important mission: Providing mentorship to the next generation of African-Americans in the multi-billion-dollar horse racing industry,” Beshear said. “Thank you and congratulations to both of these institutions for moving our commonwealth forward with this innovative partnership.”

“Churchill Downs is committed to strengthening diversity both within our own organization and across the entire industry,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Community Relations. “We look forward to deepening our partnership with the Ed Brown Society to further their work to create inclusive opportunities for young people of color in the horse racing industry. This company hopes to be one of the many launch pads to the success of future Ed Brown Scholars.”

Ed Brown Society Chairman Greg Harbut, whose great-grandfather was the world-renowned groom of Man O' War, said, “As a third-generation horseman, and one of the few African American professionals in the industry, I am extremely excited about the work of the Ed Brown Society and I am delighted that Churchill Downs has joined us to advance our mission.”

Also Wednesday, the Ed Brown Society announced the hiring of Executive Director Daryl Love. Love most recently served as the Executive Director of Career Services at Kentucky State University, a role that will be utilized greatly in the placement of Ed Brown Scholars within partner organizations like Churchill Downs.

The post Churchill Announces Ed Brown Society Partnership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post