Keeneland Racecourse | Horse Racing Free Tips

Beginning in July, Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) will launch its inaugural matching gift campaign, “Gallop and Graze,” to further the mission of the charity.

Founded in 2003, Blue Grass Farm Charities' purpose is to provide health and human services to those working in the Thoroughbred racing community. With a commitment to this mission, BGFC is proud to announce Gallop and Graze, a matching campaign to provide continued services and assistance to our vital backstretch and farm community.

We are thrilled to announce that Keeneland has kicked off this campaign with a $20,000 gift and that the Mary K. Oxley Foundation has stepped forward with a $10,000 gift. With a goal of $200,000 to be reached by the close of 2020, BGFC is requesting individuals and businesses who benefit from the horse industry to consider making a $10,000 contribution to help meet this goal.

On behalf of Blue Grass Farm Charities, Keeneland and the other partners who have joined this campaign, we are grateful for your support of the racing industry and the mission of BGFC.

“Our partnership with Keeneland has strengthened considerably during the Nourish the Backstretch program,” said Julie Berry, BGFC Executive Director. “Both entities see a great need for assistance to support the horsemen and their families. Besides food insecurity, other benevolent services such as housing and medical assistance, are needed. The Nourish the Backstretch program has ended, but we are still dealing with a pandemic and the financial burden brought on by it.”

Blue Grass Farms Charities has been selected as Keeneland's industry charity during its Summer Meet scheduled July 8-12. Please consider making a monetary contribution by clicking the Donate button at www.bgfcky.org.

“Keeneland is proud of our partnership with Blue Grass Farms Charities and the needs we are able to address, first through Nourish the Backstretch and now Gallop and Graze,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “Backstretch and farm employees are racing's front-line heroes and we are grateful for their commitment to show up every day to care for the horses. In appreciation for their hard work and dedication, the horse industry must do all we can to support and provide for this community.”

We hope we can count on you to support this community when it is needed most. Building this strong foundation will bring more security and assistance to the essential worker who is caring for the Thoroughbred during this time and will be for years to come.

The post ‘Gallop And Graze’: Keeneland Leads Blue Grass Farms Charities’ Gift Matching Campaign appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Keeneland and Maker's Mark® have a rich history of working hand-in-hand to benefit the community and the horse industry. This year is no exception as the two iconic Kentucky brands today announced the 2020 Maker's Mark® commemorative bottle, with all proceeds to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), an independent charitable organization that provides financial assistance to jockeys who have sustained debilitating on-track injuries.

Each Maker's Mark bottle has been signed in advance by the five leading active stakes-winning riders at Keeneland – Julien Leparoux, Robby Albarado, John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Mike Smith – in addition to Maker's Mark Managing Director Rob Samuels and Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason.

The bottle's design features black wax on the top and neck, a green wax Keeneland seal on the front and a gold label featuring an illustration of a jockey in white and red silks aboard a Thoroughbred racehorse. The illustration is the work of Louisville artist Jeaneen Barnhart, renowned for a large portfolio of equine art that includes several posters for the Kentucky Derby Festival which she designed with her twin sister, Doreen.

Certain to become a collector's item, the bottle goes on sale July 3 in limited quantities around Kentucky.

“Jockeys are truly some of the best athletes in the world and put their lives on the line every time they mount a horse,” says PDJF President Nancy LaSala. “Because of this, we're so thrilled that two of Kentucky's great institutions – Keeneland and Maker's Mark – have come together in such a creative way to help disabled jockeys who can ride no more.”

“I've been involved with several Keeneland and Maker's Mark bottles that raise funds for worthy causes,” says Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. “But this one really is where my heart is. Autographing a bottle is such a simple thing to do, and it's great knowing that I'm playing a small role in helping other riders whose careers were cut short.”

“The people in the horse industry of Central Kentucky have played a big role in the history of Maker's Mark,” says Rob Samuels, who is an eighth-generation whisky maker. “When my grandfather started Maker's back in the 1950s, the horsemen supported him and helped spread the word that his bourbon was worth sharing. So, we're honored to share something back in a meaningful way.”

Keeneland and Maker's Mark formed a partnership in 1997 to create commemorative bottles each year for charitable organizations. Proceeds from the sales of previous commemorative bottles have raised millions to benefit everything from academic tutoring for student athletes to arts programs across the state to nonprofit organizations in the Thoroughbred industry.

“We are always gratified by the enthusiastic public response to the Maker's Mark commemorative bottle, and we are so pleased sales this year will benefit the critical work of the PDJF,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “We thank our longstanding partner, Maker's Mark, and Julien, Robby, John, Javier and Mike for their strong support.”

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