LEXINGTON, Ky. – Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), and New Vocations have been named the co-beneficiaries of the Charitable Impact Group’s fifth annual Kentucky Oaks and Derby Handicapping Benefit Dinner. The event will be held at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, Ky. on Monday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m.
NBC racing analyst Donna Brothers will host a panel of handicappers including Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch, Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, and NBC’s Randy Moss.
Limited tickets are available and can be purchased at cigevents.org. Tickets include expert handicapping advice, cocktails, dinner by multiple James Beard award nominee chef Ouita Michel, and a live and silent auction.
“Through our Derby, Belmont, and Breeders’ Cup Handicapping events, in partnership with DRF and the NBC racing team, we have been able to raise and donate over $300,000 to the jockeys and horses that make this beautiful and demanding sport so special,” said Dr. Pete Hester president of the Charitable Impact Group. “We like to believe that we have, more importantly, created a much-needed awareness of these brave and bold athletes when they are injured or when their racing careers end.”
“TCA greatly appreciates the continued support of the Charitable Impact Group,” said Mike McMahon president of TCA. “Proceeds from this event will benefit our approved 2019 grant recipients who are working on behalf of Thoroughbreds and those who care for them.”
“The Charitable Impact Group really knows how to put on a first-class event, and we are thrilled to be one of the beneficiaries again this year. We are very thankful for the continued support of our aftercare efforts and are looking forward to another great event,” said Anna Ford program director of New Vocations.
“The PDJF is grateful for the work of the Charitable Impact Group, to raise both awareness and funds for these industry charities that serve the needs of both the equine and human athletes,” said Nancy LaSala president of PDJF.
The Charitable Impact Group was established to create awareness of and financially support charities committed to the welfare of horse and human athletes within the Thoroughbred industry.
TCA’s mission is to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds, both during and after their racing careers, by supporting qualified repurposing and retirement organizations and by helping the people who care for them. TCA distributes grants to several categories of Thoroughbred-related nonprofits including rehabilitation, retraining, rehoming and retirement organizations; backstretch and farm employee programs; equine-assisted therapy programs; and research organizations. Since its inception in 1990, TCA has granted over $23 million to more than 200 charities.
The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity providing financial assistance to 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Founded in 2006, the PDJF has disbursed more than $9 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. The Fund is a cooperative effort among race tracks, jockeys, horsemen, owners and racing fans.
Founded in 1992, New Vocations is the largest racehorse adoption charity in the country. Its mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired racehorses has led to the placement of nearly 7,000 individuals, with almost 500 retirees served by the program each year. With six facilities in Kentucky, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, New Vocations serves over 40 racetracks, working directly with owners and trainers in need of equine aftercare options.
