The Jockey Club’s Nancy Kelly Passes Away Following Long Illness

Edited Press Release

Nancy C. Kelly, who helped raise millions of dollars for equine research and for individuals in need throughout the Thoroughbred industry over the course of a 32-year career at The Jockey Club, died Feb. 9 in Garden City Park, NY.

Kelly was 71 years old and had been battling ovarian cancer since February 2019, approximately one year after she retired.

As the vice president of development for Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the executive director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, Kelly organized countless fund-raising events ranging from golf tournaments and ladies' luncheons to formal gala dinners. She also managed domestic and international racing conferences, including The Jockey Club's annual Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing and multiple editions of the Pan Am Conference in New York City.

Kelly had worked in the clubhouse relations department of The New York Racing Association before The Jockey Club chairman Odgen Mills (Dinny) Phipps, who became a longtime friend and cherished colleague, recruited her to join The Jockey Club staff in 1985.

“Nancy had hundreds if not thousands of friends throughout the Thoroughbred industry, and she was as universally respected and admired as much as anyone I've ever known,” said Stuart S. Janney III, the chairman of The Jockey Club. “She was the face of The Jockey Club in many ways and no one was ever a better representative of our organization. Our sincere condolences go out to her entire family.”

Kelly, a native of New Hyde Park, NY, and a resident of Westbury, NY, maintained a long-standing and deep appreciation for the backstretch community and served in a variety of key volunteer roles in the creation and/or development of several Belmont Park-based organizations. Among them were the Belmont Child Care Association and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy.

She was named president of the chaplaincy shortly after retiring from The Jockey Club at the end of 2017, but stepped aside shortly thereafter due to her illness. From then on, she served as the vice president and as a board member.

“This is a sad day for anyone who ever knew Nancy and that includes all the racetrack chaplains around the country with whom she worked on a regular basis,” said Humberto Chavez, the lead chaplain and executive director of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy. “She was a humanitarian in every sense of the word and took great joy in helping others.”

Though Kelly avoided the limelight at all costs, she was often honored by organizations and community groups for her service to the industry and nearby communities. Among many other honors, she received the Race Track Chaplaincy of America's Award of Excellence, the Jockeys' Guild's Eddie Arcaro Award (presented annually to a person who shows exceptional commitment to jockeys and the organization) and the New York Turf Writers Association's Red Smith Good Guy Award.

Kelly is survived by her sister, Fran Dtugokenski; brother-in-law, Ray Dtugokenski; nieces Lisa Locurto and Michelle Mirabile; and four grand-nieces and two grand-nephews.

Kelly's late husband, Jack Kelly, an Equibase chartcaller and field supervisor, died in November 2010 after a long battle with polycythemia.

The wake will be held Monday, February 12, at 9 a.m. at the Leo F. Kearns Funeral Home, 445 E. Meadow Avenue in East Meadow, NY. It will be followed by a Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Brigid Catholic Church, 85 Post Avenue in Westbury.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, or the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

Donations in Nancy Kelly's name can be made to The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation through its website tjcfoundation.org or by check, payable to The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation and mailed to The Jockey Club Safety Foundation, 250 Park Avenue, Suite 2020, New York, NY 10177.

Donations in her name to the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy can be made through its website rtcany.org or by sending a check, payable to the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy, to the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy, PO Box 37191, Elmont NY, 11003.

Donations in her name to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center can be made at giving.mskcc.org or by sending a check, payable to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development, PO Box 27106, New York, NY, 10087.

 

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New York’s Racetrack Chaplaincy Seeks Volunteers and Sponsors for Holiday Events

The New York chapter of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA) has a number of upcoming holiday events scheduled for backside families, in addition to a weekly food pantry, and has opened up volunteer opportunities. Upcoming are the following events:

  • 10 a.m., Sat., Nov. 19: Packing for Thanksgiving Distribution (Belmont Clubhouse);
  • 10 a.m., Mon., Nov. 21: Thanksgiving Distribution to Backstretch Families (Belmont Clubhouse);
  • 11 a.m., Tue. Nov. 22: Backstretch Thanksgiving Luncheon (Rec Hall at Belmont);
  • Dec. 6: Saratoga Christmas “Sponsor a Family” Dinner (Longfellows in Saratoga);
  • 6 p.m., Wed., Dec. 14: Christmas Carnival (Belmont Clubhouse);
  • 11 a.m., Tue., Dec. 20: Backstretch Christmas Luncheon (Rec Hall at Belmont);
  • TBA, Belmont/Aqueduct “Sponsor a Family” Christmas Event.

“For donors and volunteers, this is an opportunity to get involved and get to know some of the hard-working people of the backstretch,” said Chaplaincy's Honorary Board member Letty McLaughlin. “Getting involved is so important and it also feels good. And if you volunteer year after year as our family does, you get to see some of the children grow up. I love being there.”

To make a donation, to volunteer, or to sponsor a family, please visit rtcany.org.

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RTCA to Host Faith, Hope and Love Night at Keeneland During Breeders’ Cup Week

Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) will kick off the Breeders' Cup World Championship week with the Night of Faith, Hope & Love, which will take place Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Keeneland in the Silks Lawn Chalet.

All who are in town for the Breeders' Cup, along with area horsemen and horsewomen are invited to enjoy a great meal, a powerful message by guest speaker, the University of Kentucky's unanimous national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe, and music. The Chaplaincy will also be celebrating it's 50th anniversary that evening and honoring this year's RTCA White Horse Award winner.

A meal will be served starting at 5:00 p.m., with the program immediately following dinner. The evening is free for all backstretch workers and Breeders' Cup teams, with shuttle services available from the dorms to the chalet beginning at 4:45 p.m. A limited number of tickets will also be made available to the public. Sponsors for the event include Breeders' Cup, WinStar, Spendthrift, Taylor Made, Woodford Thoroughbreds, Keeneland, Edwards Moving & Rigging, and the Jockey Club Safety Net. Click here for more information.

The post RTCA to Host Faith, Hope and Love Night at Keeneland During Breeders’ Cup Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Allen Named RTCA White Horse Award Winner

Marshall Allen has been named the winner of this year's Race Track Chaplaincy of America White Horse Award. Allen, an assistant trainer at Emerald Downs, saved the life of long-time horse owner Jim Foulkes, who had collapsed in the track's barn area last May. Allen began CPR and assisted EMTs when they arrived on the scene. To see Allen's story, click here.

Also honored by RTCA White Horse nominations this year were: Julie Berry from Blue Grass Farms Charities; Jonathan Estrada from Belmont Park; Nick Garafola and Veronica Gallardo from Belmont Park; Sebastian 'Bas' Nichols from Ellis Park; and Marvin Navas Prado from Ellis Park.

The White Horse Awards banquet was not held this year due to the pandemic, but nominees will be recognized at their respective locations by RTCA chaplains and representatives.

The post Allen Named RTCA White Horse Award Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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