LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Jockey Club announced today the recipients of its five academic scholarships, which will be awarded for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Julia DiFiore has been selected to receive The Jockey Club Scholarship, which provides $15,000 ($7,500 per semester) to a student who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher at any university and has demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry. Upon graduation, DiFiore, a veterinary student at Mississippi State University, aims to focus her practice on Thoroughbreds.
The winner of The Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester), which is open to women pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry, is Elisabeth Carter. Carter graduated with honors from the University of Arizona in December 2020 with bachelor’s degrees in veterinary science and law. She will begin law school this fall, with an interest in equine regulatory law.
Autumn Charley is the recipient of The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship ($20,000; $10,000 per semester), which is open to students from a minority racial or ethnic group who are pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry. Charley is working toward her Master of Business Administration through an online program at Arizona State University while working as a racing official at tracks around the country. She would like to focus on marketing upon graduation.
The Jockey Club Benevolence Scholarship ($15,000; $7,500 per semester) is a need-based award to enable a student to attend a full-time program at a college, university, or trade program and gives preference to children of backstretch and farm workers. This year’s winner is Efrain Cortes Jr., a high school senior who is interested in becoming a physical therapist. His family has a long history working on the New York racing circuit; his father was a groom for trainer Michael Hushion, and extended family members currently work for trainer Horacio De Paz.
Eric DeCoster has been selected for the third straight year for The Jockey Club Jack Goodman Scholarship ($6,000; $3,000 per semester), which is awarded annually to a student enrolled in the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). DeCoster, a sophomore in the RTIP, is interested in pursuing a career in racing operations.
“We received a deep pool of applicants for this cycle of scholarship applications and are pleased to be able to assist the five selected individuals in funding their education,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “Our goal in administering these awards is to support dedicated individuals from a range of backgrounds to reach their academic and career goals.”
Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year will open this fall.
The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It founded America’s Best Racing (americasbestracing.net), the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing, and in partnership with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, operates OwnerView (ownerview.com), the ownership resource. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.
The Jockey Club Press Release
