Women Backstretch Workers Honored at Keeneland

The Horse Racing Women's Association, Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, and Keeneland hosted a backstretch women's appreciation event Oct. 7 in the sales pavilion at Keeneland, honoring the women who work tirelessly to care for the equine athletes. Annise Montplaisir of Amplify Horse Racing hosted the event and welcomed a panel of speakers highlighting the key resources available to women on the backstretch. The speakers included Keeneland's director of communications Gabby Gaudet; Melanie Case from the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy; Shannon Kelly, executive director of the Safety Net Foundation; Diana Varon of the Keeneland Chaplaincy; Erika Lowe with Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund; and Charlotte Paez with Horses and Hope. The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is a charitable trust which provides, on a confidential basis, financial relief and assistance to members of the Thoroughbred industry and their families. Adversity or hardship presents itself in a variety of ways, so the Safety Net Foundation remains flexible when it comes to the support it provides. "The Safety Net Foundation helps people in all parts of the country who work in horse racing," Kelly said. "So, that means at any racetrack or training facility or farm, doing all jobs—like grooms, hotwalkers, exercise riders, and even those who work on the frontside, we assist financially with either medical expenses or basic living expenses like rent, food, and bills. "All situations are different, but it's important to know that there are very few situations we cannot help you with." Kelly, the daughter of a trainer, explained different scenarios the foundation can help with such as developing the flu and missing a week of work, a hot walker rolling their ankle and needing an Uber to get to urgent care, getting cancer treatments, and even getting a winter jacket for the cold months in Kentucky after working in Florida. October is breast cancer awareness month, and the day started with mammograms and cancer screenings, and a follow up with Bluegrass Community Health Center. The Safety Net Foundation and HRWA's partnership with Keeneland allowed the event to reach new heights, and offer more than their typical outreach events. Kelly said more than 70 women had signed in for the event, noting it was one of the biggest events they've had. "With the partnership with Keeneland, we were able to do this whole panel," Kelly said. "Normally, we do a lunch and gift items, and network, which is great, but to have a whole panel of all the different resources available in Kentucky, it was so special—and then with Horses and Hope, and former first lady (of Kentucky) Jane Beshear." After the panel of speakers had finished, there was a raffle for gift bags, gift cards, and even a few flower bouquets. Each attendee was served lunch and given goodie bags with items from Bluegrass Community Health Center, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, and Horses and Hope. "This event was to highlight the the women that are with the horses every day, and that is really important to the Horse Racing Women's Association," Kelly said. "We wanted to have an event for them as a thank you. It really is just a thank you for all of their hard work."