Jockey Club Announces Academic Scholarship Recipients

The Jockey Club announced today the recipients of its five academic scholarships, which will be awarded for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Megan Elcombe has been selected to receive The Jockey Club Scholarship, which provides $15,000 ($7,500 per semester) to a student who is pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher at any university and has demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry. Elcombe is studying veterinary medicine at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with a graduation date of May 2024. Following graduation, she plans to join a racetrack veterinary practice.

The winner of The Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester), which is open to women pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry, is Carly Schuerger. Schuerger will graduate in May 2024 from California State University, San Marcos, with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Business Administration. She plans to become a racehorse trainer.

Silke Hoffman is the recipient of The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester), which is open to students from a minority racial or ethnic group who are pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry. Hoffman is studying veterinary medicine at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with a graduation date of May 2024. Hoffman is interested in equine reproduction and neonatal internal medicine and plans to complete a rotating equine internship after graduation followed by a large animal internal medicine or theriogenology residency.

The Jockey Club Benevolence Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is a need-based award to enable a student to attend a full-time program at a college, university, or trade program and gives preference to children of backstretch and farm workers. This year's winner is Xochilt Solorio. Xochilt is a high school senior who plans to attend Northeastern University at the Boston campus in the fall of 2023 to study civil engineering and agriculture studies. Xochilt's parents work at Belmont Park; her father is a groom and day watcher and her mother is a hot-walker. Xochilt plans to focus on structural engineering.

The Jockey Club Jack Goodman Scholarship ($6,000; $3,000 per semester) is awarded annually to a student enrolled in the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). This year's recipient is Ben Atkinson. Atkinson is a junior in RTIP. After his sophomore year, Ben interned with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club working in the racing office. His goal is to work in racetrack management.

"It is encouraging for our sport that each year we receive a promising and diverse group of candidates for our scholarship program," said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. "This year's applicants were no exception, and we have no doubt that the scholarship recipients will make a great impact on various segments of the industry."

Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will open this fall.