As we blogged last week, Keeneland was all set to host “Ladies of the Turf” on Sunday, April 13 as a fundraiser for Kentucky First Lady, Jane Beshear’s charity Horses and Hope and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. We thought you would enjoy this press release from Keeneland about the event and the jockeys present.

“On Sunday, Keeneland hosted “Ladies of the Turf” to honor 21 retired and active female jockeys, including those who were first allowed to ride in 1969 and some of the most accomplished members of their profession.
Among the women who participated in the day’s events were Hall of Famer Julie Krone; Kathy Kusner, the first woman to be licensed to ride; Diane Crump, the first women to ride against men and the first to ride in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs; Barbara Jo Rubin, the first to win a recognized race; Patti Barton, the first to win 1,000 races; Kaye Bell, the first to win a race at Keeneland; Patricia “PJ” Cooksey, the first to ride in the Preakness; and Rosie Napravnik, the first to be leading rider at Keeneland.

The complete list of women: Vicky Aragon Baze, Donna Barton Brothers, Patti Barton, Kaye Bell, Kaoru Tschuiya-Chatfield, Stacie Clark-Rogers, Patricia “P.J.” Cooksey, Diane Crump, Tammy Fox, Abigail Fuller, Julie Krone, Kathy Kusner, Rosie Napravnik, Suzie Picou-Oldham, Tami Purcell-Burkland, Jennifer Rowland-Small, Barbara Jo Rubin, Andrea Seefeldt-Knight, Melinda Spickard Vest, Cheryl White and Mary Wiley-Wagner.

Today’s events included a presentation and video tribute following the second race, won by Napravnik. The women also participated in an autograph signing featuring a commemorative poster created by noted cartoonist Peb. Proceeds from the sale of the poster raised $1,000 for Horses and Hope and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Keeneland’s recognition of the Ladies of the Turf was part of Horses and Hope Pink Day. Horses and Hope is First Lady Jane Beshear’s initiative to raise awareness of breast cancer among women working in Kentucky’s horse industry. Mrs. Beshear participated in a lunch for survivors at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion, and participants enjoyed afternoon activities at the track.

The sixth race was the $60,000 Horses and Hope Race, and the nine horses wore pink saddle towels. The winner was G. Watts Humphrey Jr.’s Frivolous, who won the 1 1/8-mile race by 4¼ lengths. James Graham rode Frivolous for trainer Vicky Oliver.”