"Fashionable Fillies Luncheon"

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation will host its annual Fashionable Fillies Luncheon at Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Monday, August 5, 2024. This year's luncheon will honour the late Nancy C. Kelly, celebrating her legacy and passions with the theme "All Things Nancy!"

Nancy Kelly served as the executive director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation for 32 years, during which she helped thousands of individuals in need, providing nearly $16 million in assistance. Her sister Fran and nieces Michelle and Lisa will be special guests at the event. Nancy was known for her dedication to the foundation and her skill in organising various fundraising events, including the creation of the Fashionable Fillies Luncheon.

The theme "All Things Nancy!" will highlight her loves: friendship, fashion, food, and wine. Attendees can enjoy shopping for handbags from Kent Stetson and Lisi Lerch, shoes from Violet's of Saratoga, hats by Christine A. Moore, and Patty Tobin Jewelry, and teaser spa and salon services such as HydraFacials from Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness. The luncheon will feature an Italian menu curated by Angelo Mazzone's team, paired with exquisite Jackson Family wines.

Shannon Kelly, the current Executive Director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, emphasised the significance of the event: "This event is an important fundraiser for The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, whose mission is to assist those in need in the racing industry. Common colds, broken bones, disease, family emergencies, the need for suitable clothing, holiday celebrations, and warm meals are all within the scope."

Nancy Kelly's dedication was personal. Shannon Kelly reflected on Nancy's impact: "She immersed herself in every case and was a nurturing and calming force for many who sought us out. Her smile was captivating, and her thoughtfulness and love were present in all that she did. For Nancy, it was personal. She grew our foundation into what it is today, and she will be forever missed."

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is a charitable trust providing confidential financial relief to members of the Thoroughbred industry and their families. The foundation supports jockeys, trainers, exercise riders, grooms, and various racetrack and breeding farm employees. Assistance includes financial aid, medical expenses, therapeutic equipment, voice-recognition computers for quadriplegics, and wheelchair-accessible vans. Since 1985, the foundation has distributed more than $16 million in aid.

The Fashionable Fillies Luncheon stands as a testament to Nancy Kelly's enduring legacy, bringing together the racing community to support a cause she held close to her heart.