Brian Hernandez Jr. Headlines KYRTC's Race For Grace Event

The event will be held at Churchill Downs April 28.

The Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy is excited to announce that the Race for Grace will be held on the evening of Monday, April 28th, 2025 at Churchill Downs in a new space at the First Turn Club. Please add this great event to your Derby Week calendar.

This year's keynote speaker for the Race for Grace is Brian Hernandez, Jr., a distinguished American jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. He began his professional riding career in 2003, securing his first victory on November 29 of that year at Delta Downs in Louisiana. In 2004, Hernandez's talent earned him the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey after achieving 243 wins. A significant milestone in his career came on his 27th birthday, November 3, 2012, when he rode Fort Larned to victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park.

Hernandez's success continued in 2024 when he became the ninth jockey in history, and the first since 2009, to win both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby in the same year. He piloted Thorpedo Anna to victory in the Oaks and guided Mystik Dan to a memorable win in the Derby, both horses trained by Ken McPeek. Throughout his career, Hernandez has amassed over 2,500 victories, including multiple graded stakes wins. His dedication and skill have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in American horse racing.

The event will feature a silent and live auction including items such as 2026 Kentucky Derby and Oaks boxes and the Derby contender's halters, a Keenland package, many golf packages, horse racing art and memorabilia as well as trips to Mexico, a Montana Cabin vacation, and much, much more.

Race for Grace tickets are limited, and sponsorships are welcome. For an invitation to Race for Grace and more information about sponsorships, please contact: Tara Kremer, Event Manager, Email raceforgrace@kychaplaincy.org.

For more information, please visit the Kentucky Chaplaincy website at https://kychaplaincy.org.