Racing Community Continues to Support KY Tornado Relief

The racing community has continued to support relief efforts following the Dec. 11 tornadoes that hit Western Kentucky. Stonestreet Farms, Jeff Ruby, Churchill Downs Inc, and Keeneland are among the latest entities and people to pledge their support.

Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Farms, a leading breeder and owner in Lexington, provided $100,000, according to the farm's social media accounts, which also asked followers to join in donations to the American Red Cross via a telethon hosted Dec. 14 by the University of Kentucky Athletics and LEX18 News and the relief fund set up by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.

WLWT5 reported Dec. 15 that Jeff Ruby, a Cincinnati restauranteur who sponsors the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky, donated $100,000 through the Louisville, Ky.,-based The Lee Initiative, co-founded by Chef Edward Lee. 

On Wednesday, CDI announced it had joined community partner Kroger, ESPN 680 Louisville, and Louisville, Ky.-based Phocus to support vital relief and recovery efforts following the tornadoes in Kentucky. CDI donated $50,000 to the Mayfield Graves County Tornado Relief Fund on behalf of its Kentucky properties which include Churchill Downs Racetrack, Derby City Gaming, Turfway Racing & Gaming, Newport Racing & Gaming, and Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel located in the western part of the state. Miami Valley Gaming, CDI's jointly owned property with Delaware North located in Lebanon, Ohio, joined the efforts with a financial contribution to support its Kentucky neighbors.

The Mayfield Graves County Tornado Relief Fund was established through Independence Bank and the Muhlenberg County Long Term Disaster Relief Fund.

"Kentucky is known is for its unbridled spirit," said Tonya Abeln, president of Churchill Downs Inc. Foundation. "At Churchill Downs, we couldn't do what we do without the strength of Kentucky behind us. We know the sun will shine bright on our old Kentucky home again, but there are some dark days ahead as we try to rebuild all that has been lost. Today, we send support and love to our fellow Kentuckians who have suffered so greatly at the indiscriminate hands of this natural disaster."

Churchill Downs will donate 100% of the money donated to its foundation through the end of 2021 to the Mayfield Graves County Tornado Relief Fund.

Keeneland also shared the telethon hosted by UK Athletics and LEX18 News on its social media platforms Tuesday, announcing it had donated $25,000 toward relief efforts.

BLOODHORSE: Coolmore, TJC, McIngvale Donate to KY Tornado Relief