I hope that you’re not one of those people who think that, when women get together to “do lunch,” that we sit around, yakking about menfolk and reality TV. Of course you don’t think that way–you know that women in the horse racing industry are intelligent, savvy, focused and compassionate.
But take roomful of racing women with these admirable attributes–give them some lunch and lively conversation in the swell-egant National Museum of Dance…and, well, a recipe like that can change the world…
On Tuesday, July 30th at 11:30 in the morning, some of the most powerful, thoughtful and community-focused women in horse racing will convene at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA. The Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon will bring together some of the brightest stars in the sport–and you’re invited to join them. Mrs. Marylou Whitney and Michele Riggi are the Honorary Chairs of the event. (I’ve been to many events hosted by our beloved Mrs. Whitney, and I can attest to the warmth, graciousness and beauty of anything to which the dear lady puts her hand.)
Most people associate The Jockey Club with rules about breeding and the registration of foals and names. (And God knows, over the years The Jockey Club has seen it all: from noble names like Secretariat and Seattle Slew to some downright insulting monikers. The Jockey Club says Yay or Neigh to thousands of names a year.)
Without The Jockey Club, there’d be no rules about pedigree and breeding–and, as you know, every Thoroughbred on Earth must prove that they’re descended from one of the three foundation sires on both dam and sire side, in order to prove that they’re a Thoroughbred. This is why we in the sport of racing Thoroughbreds are fanatics about pedigree. (And how cool it is, that every Thoroughbred on Earth can display their pedigree for we, the common fans?Just go to pedigreequery.com, and you can trace every single one back to the 17th and/or 18th Century.
(Oh, for you newbies: the three foundation sires, for you newbies: the Godolphin Arabian, Byerley Turk and Darley Arabian.)
But the Jockey Club does even more than even all that intense work: one of their charities, the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, is one of the two beneficiaries of this year’s Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon.
And what does the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation do? Let me tell you, race fans: they support those who support the horses. I absolutely love the name of this charitable trust: everyone needs a safety net. Some of us have family, some have friends. There must be someone there to catch us when we fall–in fact, just the presence of a safety net makes us all feel more at ease, more confident, doesn’t it? We may never need the net because we may never fall–God grant!–but if we do, it’s reassuring to know that the safety net is there. I feel really good about this moniker–I’m all about words–and just knowing that The Jockey Club is there, holding the Safety Net for those in our sport who need it–makes me love the esteemed organization even more.
Absolutely confidential assistance has been provided since the charitable trust was established in 1943. (Yes, you read that right–1943. Brief history lesson below.) This assistance comes in so many forms: financial aid; medication; surgical and hospital costs; therapeutic equipment; voice-recognition computers for quadriplegics and wheelchair-accessible vans. As needs arise, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation finds a way to meet that need, in spades.
So here’s your brief history lesson: The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation was founded during World War II, just after the Great Depression had decimated America’s economy. I
In 1943, with donations from the five race tracks in New York at that time (not connected, such as NYRA tracks today), this organization brought hearts and minds together for the benefit of the common good. Aqueduct, Belmont, Empire City, Jamaica and Saratoga put their heads and their cash together in recognition of the needs of the entire racing community, and thus was born this profoundly worthy organization, that helps so many, in so many ways.
(Nota Bene: The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is maintained under the auspices of The Jockey Club, and is guided by a three-member Board of Trustees, all of whom are members thereof: Trustees are Helen C. Alexander, D.G. Van Clief, Jr., and C. Steven Duncker. Daily activities of the Foundation are managed by a talented and insightful Executive Director and small support staff.)
The Foundation has worked with great passion and concern for the well-being of our racing community, and continues to do so. The Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon is their major fund-raiser in Saratoga each year. Did you know, that since 1985 the Foundation has helped over 1,000 individuals and their families–to the tune of more than $13 million in assistance? You read that right. Thirteen-million dollars have been raised and distributed through this amazing organization and the dedicated souls who make it happen, every day of the year.
And recipients–well, they run the gamut. They’re people like you and me: virtually every walk of life in racing is represented in the list of those who’ve benefited from this Foundation. Jockeys, trainers, exercise riders, grooms–but also office personnel, and other employees of race tracks–of racing organizations and even breeding farms.
If there’s a need and the Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation can help, they will. Working with other, similarly-focused organizations like the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, they do so much for so many.
Now, interestingly enough, I was involved the second for several years with the National Museum of Dance–the second non-profit organization that will benefit from the Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon.
In 1988, I met a woman named Alison Moore through a friend. Alison was the Executive Director at the Museum at that time. We chatted, and I said that I adored ballet, but knew nothing about modern dance–and wanted to learn more. Alison suggested that I become a volunteer at the Museum, including docent work. She knew that, by being immersed in the museum and reading the docents’ scripts–I’d learn about modern dance and that a fire would be kindled in my spirit. I did, it did and I’m a rabid fan of modern now. (Great call, Alison. Thank you!)
The Museum, itself, is a work of art–absolutely a gift to the eyes and the heart. See that fabulous contemporary statue outside the edifice? The swirling, moving body as it dances forward? That statue is made of parts of junked Volkswagens. No, really. Such beauty, emerging from refuse. (See? I learned something during my tenure as a volunteer/docent!) Inside the sacred walls–formerly the Washington Bath House in Saratoga–reflecting off the marble walls and windows that invite in the majesty of the wooded surroundings–in that temple to the human (and equine) body in motion–are some of the greatest exhibits, artifacts and treasures in the world of dance. If you love modern or ballet, you’re a fan of the National Museum of Dance. If you’re not-yet a fan–or curious–or took lessons when you were three–you need to visit, and remember the magical thing that happens when the human body allows itself the freedom to move through time and space, untethered to worldly cares. Get Thee to the Dance Museum!(It is so fitting that the Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon is held at the Dance Museum–for it is safe to say that, without Mrs. Marylou Whitney and her love of dance–of Saratoga–and her support in every possible way–the National Museum of Dance never would have come into being. This is the one racing season event at which you can pay homage to Mrs. Whitney and her deep dedication to both dance and the horse racing industry.)
And the perfect time for your first–or 51st–visit to the Museum is: Tuesday, July 30th at 11:30AM. As a guest at the Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon, your unconscious mind will drink in the history and beauty of dance, as you have a blast with some truly amazing, witty, bright women. You’ll enjoy the silent auction; eat insanely delicious food and meet women whom you’ve long admired.
AND, friends–you’ll help raise money for two profoundly worthy causes, causes that, on the surface may seem to be very different.
But the thing is that, together, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation and the National Museum of Dance nurture both the body and the soul.
I hope that you can attend the Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon, but if you can’t attend, for whatever reason–I have some great news for you! You still can help The Jockey Club to raise money for the Foundation, and get a beautiful, historic keepsake in return. For a mere $95, you can get a gorgeous, silk scarf–a true collectible. Let me give Nancy Kelly, Executive Director of the Foundation, the floor to tell you about this extraordinary scarf:
“This
scarf is a beautiful, distinctive tribute to Saratoga’s past 150 years and
some of its best horses. It’s an exceptional way to show your love of Saratoga while supporting
Thoroughbred industry employees who are dealing with unfortunate circumstances.”
scarf is a beautiful, distinctive tribute to Saratoga’s past 150 years and
some of its best horses. It’s an exceptional way to show your love of Saratoga while supporting
Thoroughbred industry employees who are dealing with unfortunate circumstances.”
The silk scarf, created by Vineyard Vines, showcases the 30 horses and
their connections displayed on the new Hoofprints Walk of Fame. The Walk of
Fame runs along the Clubhouse entrance gate at Saratoga Race Course, and honors some of the most
accomplished horses who’ve raced at our storied track. Who’s your favorite Thoroughbred? S/he may be in the Hoofprints Walk of Fame–and on the scarf. Look at this work of art:
You need this scarf. I need this scarf. I’m certain that The Jockey Club doesn’t have one million scarves, to accommodate all of us who want one, so you’d better contact Nancy Kelly today. Even if you do plan to attend the Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon–you might want to do the one-two punch, and support the Foundation in both ways. Lunch and a gorgeous, collectible scarf. Yes, yes, Saratoga is crazy with so many fund-raisers at this time of year. If I had the time and the cash, I’d be at all of them. But this is one event that you should not miss, for so many reasons. I know, I know–the RSVP on the invitation reads that the deadline was the 23rd, but I’m certain that if you call or email Nancy Kelly today, at NKelly@jockeyclub.com / (518) 226-0609, she’ll be happy to make a reservation for you. The $150 for the ticket will be so well-spent.
You can order your scarf through Nancy, also–and remember, there’s no more satisfying feeling than knowing that of doing well because you did good. You can dress fashionably–dine deliciously–meet outstanding women in our sport–and do a tremendous amount of good for oh, so many members of our very own racing community.
Thank you, and–have fun at the Luncheon–and love yourself in your gorgeous new scarf!
🙂
DETAILS:
Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
11:30AM
National Museum of Dance / South Broadway / Saratoga Springs, New York
$150
Nancy Kelly:
NKelly@jockeyclub.com
(518) 226-0609
The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation Hoofprints Walk of Fame Silk Scarf:
$95
www.tjcfoundation.orgNancy Kelly:
NKelly@jockeyclub.com
(518) 226-0609
P.S. Listen to f!lly Racing Radio at 8AM on Saturday, July 27, to meet Nancy Kelly. We’ll discuss the The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation and the Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon–and whatever else Nancy bings to the table. Also! If you listen in, you’ll meet Suzie O’Cain–a brilliant horsewoman, funny-as-all-get-out friend of mine–and, as it happens–a member of the Honorary Committee of the Fashionable Fillies’ Luncheon. (Laugh your head off on Saturday with Suzie and me, then meet her in person on Tuesday at the Luncheon.) 101.3FM on the dial, Saratoga / Capital Region of New York State, or http://www.1013thejockey.com
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