“The new name more clearly reflects the role we play in assisting individuals in difficult circumstances,” said D.G. Van Clief Jr., the managing trustee of the foundation. “The change should also help eliminate confusion with The Jockey Club’s other charitable foundation, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, which funds equine research.”

Established in 1943, the foundation is maintained under the auspices of The Jockey Club and is guided by a three-member board of trustees, all of whom are members of The Jockey Club.

Helen Alexander and C. Steven Duncker are the other two trustees of the foundation, and Nancy C. Kelly serves as the executive director.

Since 1985, the foundation has helped well over 1,000 individuals and their families with more than $13 million in assistance. Recipients represent virtually every segment of the Thoroughbred industry, from jockeys, trainers, exercise riders and grooms to office personnel and other employees of racetracks, racing organizations and breeding farms.

Confidential assistance has been provided in the form of financial aid, medication, surgical and hospital costs, therapeutic equipment, voice-recognition computers for quadriplegics and wheelchair-accessible vans.

To be able to help in as many instances as possible, the foundation maintains communications with chaplains based at racetracks throughout the country and with other charitable organizations in the industry.

The foundation’s annual fund-raising event, the Fashionable Fillies Luncheon, will be held Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation also welcomes and encourages tax-deductible contributions of any amount. They can be made on the foundation website (tjcfoundation.org) or by mailing contributions to The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, 40 E. 52nd Street (15th floor), New York, NY 10022.

Additional information about The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is available at tjcfoundation.org.