News Releases

Wednesday, October 06, 2021Contact: Shannon Kelly (212) 521-5327
Shannon Arvin Named to Safety Net Foundation Board of Trustees; Charity Announces new Advisory Board

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation has appointed Shannon Arvin to its board of trustees, replacing the vacant position left by D.G. Van Clief Jr.

Arvin is president and chief executive officer of Keeneland. She is a member of The Jockey Club and a former member of the law firm Stoll Keenon Ogden (SKO) in Lexington, Kentucky. While at SKO, she represented many Thoroughbred organizations in the industry, including Keeneland, Breeders’ Cup Limited, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Arvin has served or currently serves on the boards of Bluegrass Care Navigators (Hospice), Horse Country, The Lexington School, and the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Foundation. She is also past president of the Thoroughbred Club of America.

“We are delighted to welcome Shannon Arvin to The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation board of directors,” said C. Steven Duncker, the foundation’s managing trustee. “Shannon's contributions to the racing industry are well-known, and we are thankful that she will bring her insight, intelligence, and enthusiasm to the task of helping people in need in the horse racing industry. We are thankful to D.G. for his many years of dedicated service and wish him the best of luck with future leadership roles in our industry.

“Along with welcoming Shannon, we want to welcome the members of the Safety Net's new advisory board. They bring a wide range of skills from various backgrounds, and they will be extremely impactful in widening the reach of the Safety Net Foundation.”

The mission of the advisory board is to promote the work of the foundation, both to those in the industry seeking assistance and to potential new donors who can support the foundation’s efforts. Early goals of the advisory board are to revamp the charity’s marketing strategy and media presence. The board’s full membership is below.

Dora Delgado
Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Officer, Breeders’ Cup Ltd.


Britney Eurton
Host/Reporter, NBCSN & TVG


Terry Finley
President & Chief Executive Officer, West Point Thoroughbreds


Gemma Freeman
Industry Relations Manager, Stonestreet Farm


Stephanie Hronis
Owner, Hronis Racing


Gabby Gaudet
Analyst/Reporter, TVG
Sales Representative & Simulcast Host, Keeneland


Jonathon Kinchen
Horseplayer
Analyst, NYRA/Fox Sports Network
Co-Founder, In the Money Media


Justin Nicholson
Owner/Manager, AJ Suited Racing Stable


Jaime Roth
Owner, LNJ Foxwoods


Alex Solis II
Director of Bloodstock and Racing, Gainesway Farm


Jodie Vella-Gregory
Manager, Office of Innovation, 1/ST Racing


The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is a charitable trust that provides, on a confidential basis, financial relief and assistance to needy members of the Thoroughbred industry and their families. Recipients of the Safety Net Foundation’s support represent virtually every facet of the Thoroughbred industry, from jockeys, trainers, exercise riders, and grooms to office personnel and other employees of racetracks, racing organizations, and breeding farms. Assistance can come in any number of forms, including financial aid, medication, surgical and hospital costs, therapeutic equipment, voice-recognition computers for quadriplegics, and wheelchair-accessible vans. Since 1985, the foundation has provided more than $16 million in assistance. More information can be found at tjcfoundation.org.