KENTUCKY RACE TRACK CHAPLAINCY INC

Name

KENTUCKY RACE TRACK CHAPLAINCY INC

Legal name

Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy, Inc.

Website

https://kychaplaincy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Racetrack Chaplaincy Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Veterinary, Welfare & Anti-Doping Services (MPAEADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Racing Associations, Governance & Integrity Services (MPAEADAL)

Keywords

• Racing industry chaplaincy
• Interdenominational ministry
• Backstretch worker support
• Non-profit religious services
• Racetrack community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: The primary revenue source comes from donations from individuals, churches, organizations, and corporate sponsors. Sponsors like Winstar, Spendthrift Farm, Churchill Downs, and others provide financial support. Donations are tax-deductible as the organization is a 501c(3) non-profit.
2. Race for Grace Annual Gala: The annual fundraising dinner and auction held during Derby Week generates significant revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction items. The 2026 event featured 86 premier auction items including Derby contender halters and exclusive travel experiences.
3. In-Kind Donations: The organization accepts in-kind donations of clothing, toiletries, shoes, and other essentials for its clothing closets. Churches and organizations donate meals for Monday night dinners at tracks.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) interdenominational Christian ministry that delivers year-round chaplaincy services to thoroughbred racetrack backstretch workers and their families at six Kentucky and Ohio locations. Core services include daily chaplain presence, weekly worship services, Bible studies, biblical counseling, baptism/marriage/funeral services, emergency material assistance via clothing closets, weekly Monday dinner programs, and dedicated Women's and Children's ministries. The annual Race for Grace Gala & Auction during Derby Week is the organization's flagship fundraising event.

Product overview

Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy is a non-profit 501c(3) interdenominational ministry organization offering a unified set of spiritual and material support services to the horse racing industry. The core offering is year-round chaplaincy ministry at race tracks (Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, Belterra Park, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs) and training centers. This is complemented by specialized Women's Ministry and Children's Ministry programs, a Clothing Closet providing essential items, a weekly Monday Dinner program, and the annual Race for Grace Gala & Auction as the primary fundraising vehicle. All services are integrated around meeting the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of backside workers and their families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chaplaincy Ministry Services Year-round interdenominational Christian ministry providing spiritual support, counseling, worship services, weekly Bible studies, baptism/marriage/funeral services, and practical assistance to backstretch workers and families at five thoroughbred race tracks across Kentucky and Ohio (Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, Belterra Park) plus training centers. Operations run 52 weeks per year.
• Women's Ministry Biblical counseling, Bible reading assistance, sewing classes, family visits, events, and spiritual guidance for women (18+) living in or visiting the backstretch community at Churchill Downs. Service extends beyond the chapel to include accompanying women to appointments, assisting with errands, and offering prayer support through life's challenges.
• Children's and Youth Ministry Interactive Bible studies and youth events for children and youth during chapel services at Churchill Downs, cultivating mature believers in Jesus through age-appropriate programming and Christian education.
• Clothing Closet Ministry Emergency clothing and essentials closet at tracks (notably Turfway Park) providing work shoes, boots, winter coats, jeans, toiletries, towels, and bedding to horsemen unable to afford basic necessities. Serves 50+ individuals weekly through the Turfway clothing closet operation.
• Monday Dinner Program Weekly dinner served to backstretch workers before chapel service at Churchill Downs and Turfway Park, fostering community and Acts 2:42 fellowship. Each Monday dinner costs approximately $250-300 per track, funded through donations and church partnerships.
• Training Center Outreach Weekly visits by chaplain Maykel Pupo to Trackside, HighPointe (LaGrange), and Skylight (Goshen) training centers offering warm drinks, coats, Bibles, and words of encouragement to backstretch workers during winter months when tracks are not active. Includes delivery of 100+ gift bags to barn workers each winter.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ supporters at annual Race for Grace gala
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered major sponsor, core partner, parent organization, industry partner, church partner, sponsor, training center partner, technology partner and ambassador.

• Winstar Farmmajor sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy. Winstar Farm is a prominent thoroughbred breeding and racing operation.
• Spendthrift Farmmajor sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor. Spendthrift Farm is a leading thoroughbred breeding farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
• Churchill Downscore partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerHome of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs provides land for Christ Chapel on the backside and supports the chaplaincy with workspace and facilities.
• Race Track Chaplaincy of Americaparent organizationStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization founded in 1972 that established the Kentucky division. RTCA is a non-profit interdenominational organization providing chaplaincy services at racetracks nationwide.
• Thoroughbred Charities of Americamajor sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 grantee providing funding support. TCA funds organizations that help thoroughbred industry workers and horses.
• Turfway Park Racing & Gamingcore partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerNorthern Kentucky racetrack where chaplaincy services are provided. Turfway Park is owned by Churchill Downs Inc.
• HBPA Kentucky (Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association)industry partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerTrade association representing horse owners and trainers at Kentucky racetracks, supporting the chaplaincy mission.
• HBPA Ohioindustry partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerOhio chapter of the Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association supporting chaplaincy at Belterra Park.
• Northeast Christian Churchchurch partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerLouisville church that supports the chaplaincy ministry as a sponsor.
• South East Christian Churchchurch partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerLouisville church supporting the chaplaincy as a sponsor.
• Taylor Made Farmmajor sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading Lexington thoroughbred farm serving as sponsor for Race for Grace events.
• AirDrie StudsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerThoroughbred breeding operation in Kentucky serving as event sponsor.
• Kentucky Thoroughbred Associationindustry partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerState trade association supporting Kentucky thoroughbred industry and chaplaincy.
• Fasig-Tiptonmajor sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier thoroughbred auction company and Race for Grace sponsor.
• Kentucky Downscore partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFranklin, Kentucky racetrack where chaplaincy services are provided.
• Ellis Park Racingcore partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerHenderson, Kentucky racetrack acquired by Churchill Downs Inc in 2022, where chaplaincy services are provided.
• Belterra Parkcore partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCincinnati-area racetrack (formerly River Downs) where chaplain Steve Rodriguez provides ministry services.
• Brook Ledge Horse TransportationsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerHorse transportation company providing sponsorship support.
• High Pointe Training Centertraining center partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerLaGrange, Kentucky training center where chaplain Maykel Pupo provides ministry during winter months.
• Winchester Place ThoroughbredssponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerThoroughbred racing operation serving as event sponsor.
• Edwards Development and ManagementsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerDevelopment company providing sponsorship support.
• L and N Federal Credit UnionsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerLouisville-area credit union supporting the chaplaincy.
• Gilliam Mease AdvisorssponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvisory firm and Race for Grace sponsor.
• CaldwellsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment/solutions company providing sponsorship support.
• Pro Turf Lawn and LandscapingsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerLawn/landscaping company serving as sponsor.
• Stored Value SolutionssponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Race for Grace event.
• Safe HarborsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Race for Grace event.
• Hatfield Mediatechnology partnerTechnology or IntegrationLouisville-based digital marketing agency and website design company that developed and maintains the kychaplaincy.org website.
• KY Equine Medical AssociatessponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquine veterinary practice serving as Race for Grace sponsor.
• Shepherd InsurancesponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance agency and Call To Post sponsor.
• Diorio's Pizza and PubsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal restaurant providing sponsorship support.
• BJB RestorationsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestoration company serving as sponsor.
• Horsemen's Track and EquipmentsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment supplier for the horse racing industry and sponsor.
• CJ ThoroughbredssponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerThoroughbred racing operation and Down the Stretch sponsor.
• The Kia StoresponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomobile dealership serving as sponsor.
• PreloadsponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing support for Race for Grace.
• Pat DayambassadorGTM or Marketing PartnerHall of Fame jockey and ministry ambassador with 32 years of thoroughbred racing experience. Actively promotes the chaplaincy at events and through media appearances.

Scale indicators8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• New York Race Track Chaplaincy: Sister division of Race Track Chaplaincy of America serving NYRA tracks (Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga). Same chaplaincy mission and parent affiliation as KRTC, but in a different geography with its own donor base.
• Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association: Trade association representing horsemen at Florida tracks. Provides some backstretch welfare services in a competing racing geography; parallels HBPA Kentucky which is a KRTC partner.
• Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (Kentucky): Trade association representing horse owners and trainers at Kentucky racetracks. KRTC is an industry partner of HBPA Kentucky; HBPA is a regional peer that serves the same backstretch population through different (advocacy/representation) services.

Direct peers

• Belmont Child Care Association: Provides child care and family services for backstretch workers at NYRA tracks in New York. Operates the same non-profit welfare model for racetrack workers and families as KRTC, but in a different geography.
• Race Track Chaplaincy of America: National parent organization of KRTC, founded in 1972 to provide chaplaincy services at racetracks nationwide. Operates the same ministry model across multiple state divisions, making it the closest functional peer.
• Backside Learning Center: Non-profit at Churchill Downs providing education, health, and social services to backstretch workers and their families. Operates alongside KRTC at the same venue with overlapping beneficiary population.

Broad incumbents

• Thoroughbred Charities of America: National umbrella organization that grants to charities serving thoroughbred horses and the people in the industry. KRTC is a 2025 TCA grantee; TCA is a broader incumbent with grantmaking reach across the entire welfare ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Retired Racehorse Project: Non-profit focused on transitioning Thoroughbreds from racing to second careers. Operates in the same thoroughbred welfare space as KRTC but addresses equine (not human) welfare, making it an adjacent rather than direct peer.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KYRTC
• Facebookfacebook.com/KentuckyRaceTrackChaplaincy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kentucky-race-track-chaplaincy-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KENTUCKY RACE TRACK CHAPLAINCY INC