American Pharoah Halter to Benefit Backside Learning Center

Churchill Downs’ Backside Learning Center helps those on the backside achieve their goals. (Photos by Churchill Downs’ Backside Learning Center)
American Pharoah’s career drew to a close last Saturday when he won the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland Race Course, but that doesn’t mean the Triple Crown winner is done helping racing charities.
Churchill Downs’ Backside Learning Center, an organization that seeks to help equine workers and their families achieve their personal and professional goals through tutoring, English and a Second Language courses, and other continuing education opportunities, is currently auctioning off a package that includes a halter worn by American Pharoah. It is set in a shadow box with all three of his Triple Crown win photos signed by trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza in addition to $2 win tickets from each of his Triple Crown races.
Also up for bidding are halters worn by Beholder and Zenyatta and signed miniature American Pharoah saddle cloth in addition to a variety of both horse racing and non-horse racing items. Ten of the items have already been made available for bidding, with the American Pharoah halter currently commanding a bid of $2,000. The rest of the Backside Learning Center items will be released for bidding at noon on Nov. 11.
THE AMERICAN PHAROAH HALTER

While the auction itself is bringing in funds for the volunteer-run Backside Learning Center, it is part of a larger Ladies Day at the Races held at Churchill Downs on Nov. 13. The Ladies Day is in its ninth year and is the Learning Center’s biggest fundraiser with the funds from the event providing about 30 percent of the yearly budget for the center.
“We have very supportive local businesses and individuals in our community who are generous enough to donate many items to us. The silent auction generates around $15,000 of income that goes directly to programming that serves the backside community,” said Sherry Stanley, the Director of the Backside Learning Center.
For those interested in attending the Ladies Day, tickets are available for $75 per person or $500 for a table of eight with tickets able to be purchased online here or by calling the Backside Learning Center at 502-634-6543. Those at Ladies Day will be able to bid on the auction items on an iPad that volunteers will be carrying around the event in addition to being able to bid on their smart phones like those not at the event.
“Churchill Downs and horse racing is such an important part of our community and cultural identify in Kentucky- the hundreds of workers who work in the stables seven days a week – primarily immigrants- are the ones who make all of this possible. Supporting these individuals and families through education and social services is the least we can do to thank them,” said Stanley.
To bid on the items over the coming days you can click here.