Backstretch Worker Delcid Earns RTCA White Horse Award

The people who work and live around Nery Delcid, a backstretch worker for trainer Dale Romans at Churchill Downs, believe he likely saved human and equine lives when he acted quickly to douse a fire that had been set one night at the barn.

In accepting the Race Track Chaplaincy of America White Horse Award Nov. 1 at Keeneland, Delcid thanked God for putting him in position to take action. The award honors direct heroism on behalf of humans or horses by individuals throughout the Thoroughbred industry.

Romans noted that Delcid began working for him about three years ago and has always been a person who not only puts in a day's work but constantly thinks about the people and horses he works with.

In a video presented at the ceremony, Delcid said one night he saw a woman with a lighter at the barn. He said when he went to investigate, he discovered that she already had set a fire that had started in a stall and that the height of its flames reached halfway up the walls. Delcid said his first thought was of the people sleeping in the barn that night and then of the horses. For a split second he imagined the potential loss of life. 

Then Delcid decided to act. He called 911 and contacted track security, then dashed to a nearby faucet and filled a bucket with water. He ran back to the stall to douse the flames. His quick actions removed the danger. 

In a video presentation, Romans said he was told by his mother that the first time he visited that barn was at the age of nine months—as the son of trainer Jerry Romans. Romans said losing that barn would have been like losing his home.

Jockey Club's Shannon Kelly Honored

Also Tuesday, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation executive director and secretary Shannon Kelly was honored with the RTCA's Community Award. Humberto Chavez, chaplain for the New York RTCA, noted that besides ensuring that Safety Net funds are used to help people, Kelly is a hands-on person who can be spotted preparing meals and assisting people.

"I really wasn't expecting this," Kelly said at Tuesday's dinner. "This is not usually the case, but I'm really at a loss for words."

Kelly said she was especially proud of TJC Safety Net's assistance during the early COVID-19 years. She noted that those were tough times but that they did bring people and organizations together to assist people in need.

The awards were part of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America's Night of Faith, Hope, and Love ahead of the Breeders' Cup World Championships Nov. 4 and 5 at Keeneland. Several hundred people attended the celebration that included prayer, music, and an interview with University of Kentucky basketball All-American Oscar Tshiebwe, who talked about his faith and basketball with RTCA president Elliott Walden—president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm.