Grace Stables, Stonestreet show support for Komen foundation

Grace Stables, Stonestreet show support for Komen

foundation

Grace Stables and Stonestreet Stables announced Wednesday

they will make a financial contribution and have their jockeys wear

pink

this season to support the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and its

funding of breast cancer education and research. Symbolic of the stables' commitment, their jockeys' silks will

sport the color pink throughout the season, starting with Kentucky Oaks

Day at Churchill Downs. The pink theme coincides with special

Kentucky Oaks Day events that include a "Pink Out," that encourages

all Oaks attendees to wear pink for the day to show their support.

Stonestreet Stables, home to reigning Horse of the Year and last year's

Kentucky Oaks (G1) queen Rachel

Alexandra (Medaglia d'Or), is owned by horseman/vintner Jess Jackson. Stonestreet's

jockeys' pants which usually feature Jackson's namesake wine brand,

Kendall-Jackson in black letters along the leg, will now bear that name

in pink letters. Grace Stables, home to Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie

Union), and owned by

Jackson's wife, Barbara Banke, will have its riders wear a pink ribbon

on their helmets.

Additionally, Churchill Downs' will be adorned in pink on Oaks Day,

including pink-colored bunting, flower beds, flags and jockeys' and

pony riders' apparel. Even Churchill Downs' bugler will sport a pink

uniform as he calls horses to the post throughout the Oaks race card.

"Like so many families, our family has been affected by the scourge

of this disease," Banke said. "As a breast cancer survivor I know the value of the

global research and educational programs supported by Susan G. Komen. It's a great privilege to know that our

contribution is going to support this important work."

Banke recently joined Susan G. Komen for the Cure as a Global

Ambassador to help raise breast cancer awareness and much-needed funds

to build on the tremendous progress made toward a world without breast

cancer. In her new volunteer role at the highest level of

Ambassadorship, Banke will be able to work with fellow Ambassadors and

Komen stakeholders to drive important initiatives and mobilize leaders

and influencers within the breast cancer movement to further Komen's

mission to end breast cancer forever.

The Kentucky Oaks race and activities will again be showcased live by

the Bravo Network in partnership with its parent company, NBC

Universal.

Kentucky Oaks Day will once again feature a "Ladies First" theme

and a day of events to raise money and awareness for Susan G. Komen for

the Cure, which leads the global movement for breast cancer research,

education, advocacy and community support.

"We learned last year just how much of an impact Oaks Day has for

raising awareness and funds for breast cancer programs all around the

world," said Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for

the Cure.