At its core, our sport showcases the Thoroughbred, one of the greatest creatures on this earth, and the dedicated group of people who love and work with those animals. Millions enjoy our sport on all levels, including casual fans, horseplayers, industry workers, breeders, trainers and owners.

I groomed horses prior to my senior year of college, and I learned many things that have stuck with me my entire professional career. Of course, I loved working with the majestic Thoroughbred. I also gained an appreciation for the dedication of the many individuals who are involved in the care of our horses.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of people who make up our industry. Most have demanding, non-traditional work schedules, and many have to travel on a racing circuit. It is difficult for them to develop a relationship with a church and attend traditional services. Also, the work can be physical and demanding. Especially in the past, there was nowhere to turn when life's challenges caused a “bump in the road.”

In a traditional setting, many people can access their church or family and friends to help them through tough times.

In the 1970's, RTCA founder Salty Roberts recognized this situation, and the need for a ministry within the racing industry.  The RTCA was formed as an evangelical, interdenominational, 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian organization whose purpose is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational needs of workers within the horse racing industry.

In its simplest terms, the primary mission of any Christian is to “Love God, love others.” The Chaplains, council members and volunteers of the RTCA carry out this mission every day. As the Vice President of the RTCA Board, it is a pleasure and honor to spend time with this group of humble servants who make such a difference in our industry.

The most visible part of a chaplain's duties may be worship services and Bible studies. Those important efforts just scratch the surface of the chaplain's job. It is a ministry of presence with Biblically based counsel, as well as offering resources like food and clothing banks, recreational activities and educational workshops. Chaplains perform weddings, handle funerals, do baptisms and make numerous trips to the hospital. When workers need a ride to the grocery store or a doctor's appointment, many times it is the chaplain or a volunteer ready to provide transportation. Like many other jobs in the horse racing, industry it is seven days a week.

At the national conference there was an exchange of experiences and ideas. The chaplains described it as a ministry of presence. It is important to get to know the people. Ask questions. One chaplain called it loitering with intent. If someone is going through a tough time, pray with them. In 2023, every RTCA chaplain went through QPR training (Question, Persuade and Refer) to help educate them about the mental health issues facing many of our workers.

As you might guess, there is not one chaplain that does their job for the financial reward. As a matter of fact, I heard about a chaplain that was ministering on a small circuit which raced only on weekends. This person was dedicated to filling a need each weekend at the track, and then would drive home and get up early Monday morning to drive a garbage truck to pay the bills. There are many stories of volunteers who provide important assistance to serve the workers at the track.

Mindy Coleman, representing the Jockeys' Guild, was in attendance. That organization has worked with the RTCA for many years to make a difference in the very difficult lives of jockeys. A track chaplain brings together the jockeys and leads a prayer prior to the races at virtually every racetrack served by the RTCA. The chaplain is there to counsel and pray with the riders in times of need. And, when a rider is injured, the chaplain is always one of the first ones at the hospital. During my career in track management, I have witnessed the difference in the environment in the jockeys' room before the RTCA, and after. In a very competitive and demanding profession, the presence of the chaplain has made a major positive impact which is summed up by the RTCA theme of “Bringing God's Grace to the Race.”

The conference was about God's Love, and unity and focus for the RTCA. It was obvious that every chaplain present felt blessed to be in the role of serving others. There was not one complaint. However, chaplains can be under a great deal of pressure with the many duties they are tasked with. Let's reach out to support and encourage them. If you are part of a horse organization, ask what you can do to support the RTCA at your track or training center. If you are in track management, make the chaplain part of your team.

To learn more about the RTCA, visit www.rtcanational.org.

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The tournament will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. ET. before a 12:30 p.m. start. Included in the registration fee are green fees, lunch, team photo, food after the round, a special gift and more. A host of prizes will be given out for longest drive, closest-to-the-pin, door prizes and other games. Each par 3 will have hole-in-one prizes and an award ceremony will follow.

To register a team or request sponsorship information, contact the National Service Center of Race Track Chaplaincy of America at (859) 410-7822 or click here.

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To register a team or request sponsorship information, contact the National Service Center of Race Track Chaplaincy of America at (859) 410-7822 or go to https://www.rtcanational.org/events.

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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.

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Last year's winner was Marshal Allen from Emerald Downs.

The deadline to submit nominations is Wednesday, Aug. 24. The form can be found here on the official Race Track Chaplaincy website.

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This year's nominees were as follows:

• Marshall Allen – Emerald Downs
• Julie Berry – Blue Grass Farms Charities
• Jonathan Estrada – Belmont Park
• Nick Garafola & Veronica Gallardo – Belmont Park
• Sebastian “Bas” Nichols – Ellis Park
• Marvin Navas Prado – Ellis Park

The winner of this year's RTCA White Horse Award is Marshall Allen, who saved the life of a long-time owner at Emerald Downs.

On the morning of May 9, assistant trainer Marshall Allen was in the shed row walking to saddle a horse, when he observed a man collapse as he was walking by the barn. Without hesitation, Marshall dropped what he had in his arms and rushed to the scene.  The man who was in distress was long-time owner Jim Foulkes, a frequent visitor to the barn area. Marshall noticed the man's color turning blue and began to perform CPR.

Emergency Medical Technicians eventually arrived on the scene and took over; when they lost Foulkes heartbeat, they brought out the external defibrillator and urgently asked if anyone had a knife to cut open Foulkes shirt.  It was once again Marshall Allen who swiftly acted and pulled a knife from his pocket. Once Foulkes was stabilized, he was transported to the hospital. The prognosis at the time seemed dim, but later in the day they learned that Foulkes was on a respirator in a medically induced coma and was “hanging in there.” Prayers requests chains circulated the barn area and were sent to RTCA National.

By May 13, Foulkes was off of ventilator, breathing on his own and was making steady progress to recovery. On July 1, he was in the barn area and paid a visit to the Stenslie's barn to thank the man whose fast action saved his life.

I was told it was “a goosebumps moment” said MaryAnn O'Connell, Executive Director, Washington HBPA.  “Marshall was the perfect person to perform such a selfless act, putting himself aside”.

Due to Covid-19, the traditional White Horse Awards banquet were not able take place.  Therefore, Marshall and the other WHA nominees will be recognized at their respective locations by RTCA Chaplains and representatives.

For more information, please contact the RTCA National Service Center at (859) 410-7822.

More about the Race Track Chaplaincy of America – The overall mission of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), through its Councils and Chaplains, is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs of those persons involved in all aspects of the horse racing industry.  “Follow” us on Facebook.

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The White Horse Award is an annual award given to individuals who have done something heroic on behalf of human or horse within the last 12 months. To submit a nomination for this award, visit the RTCA's website here.

The deadline for submission is Sept. 18. For more information, contact the RTCA National Service Center at (859) 410-7822.

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Therefore, the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) is currently seeking nominees for its 19th Annual White Horse Award (WHA).  This year's winner(s) will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, Calif., just prior to the beginning of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. It is a way to recognize those unsung heroes of horse racing, whether their actions are headline-grabbing or the quiet and not-so-obvious kind of heroism.

The White Horse Award is an annual award given to individuals who have done something heroic on behalf of human or horse within the last 12 months.  To submit a nomination for this award, visit our website https://www.rtcanational.org/events.

The deadline for submission is Sept. 18, 2021.  For more information, please contact the RTCA National Service Center at (859) 410-7822.

More about the White Horse Award – The WHA was established in 2003 to recognize individuals within the horse racing industry for their acts of selflessness and bravery. The most recent recipient was Victoria Don Dorrian for risking her life to save a loose horse from the backside of Prairie Meadows Racetrack that made his way to the eastbound I-80 interstate, running towards the oncoming traffic.

More about the Race Track Chaplaincy of America – The overall mission of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), through its Councils and Chaplains, is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs of those persons involved in all aspects of the horse-racing industry.

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The tournament will begin Monday, Oct. 4, with lunch at 12 p.m. and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Included in the registration fee are green fees, boxed lunch, a team photo, food after the round and golf gifts. The tournament will be followed by an award ceremony. A host of prizes will be given out for longest drive, closest-to-the-pin, door prizes and other special games. Among those are a chance to win a hole-in-one Grand prize of an all-expenses paid Hawaiian vacation.

To register or request sponsorship information, contact the National Service Center of Race Track Chaplaincy of America at 859-410-7822, or go to https://www.rtcanational.org/events.

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The tournament will begin on Monday, Oct. 4, with lunch at 12 p.m. and a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Included in the registration fee are green fees, boxed lunch, a team photo, food after the round, golf gifts and more, followed by an award ceremony. A host of prizes will be given out for longest drive, closest-to-the-pin, door prizes and other special games. Among those are a chance to win a hole-in-one Grand prize of an all-expenses paid Hawaiian vacation.

To register or request sponsorship information contact the National Service Center of Race Track Chaplaincy of America at 859-410-7822, or go to https://www.rtcanational.org/events 

More about Race Track Chaplaincy of America – The mission of Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), through its Councils and Chaplains is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs of those persons involved in all aspects of the horse racing industry. To learn more about the ministry of RTCA, please visit our website www.rtcanational.org or “Follow” us on Facebook @rtcanational. 

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