Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga Director Wins First-Ever Volunteer Award

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Race Track Chaplaincy announced on Sunday that Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s Director of Strategic Growth Kim Weir will be the first recipient of the newly created Nancy Kelly Volunteer Award. 

The honor will be bestowed annually to a person or people for outstanding volunteer efforts in support of the organization. Nancy Kelly served as president and vice president of the NY Chaplaincy after retiring from her long career with The Jockey Club. She passed away on Feb. 9, 2024.

“As she did with every aspect of her life, Nancy Kelly set the gold standard for volunteerism at the Chaplaincy and we felt that this was an appropriate way to honor her memory and her legacy,” said Humberto Chávez, the executive director and lead chaplain of the NYRTCA, in a news release. “Kim Weir is deeply involved with numerous other racing community activities but always finds time to help us in an extraordinary manner and this award recognizes that commitment.” 

Weir will be honored at a luncheon at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga on Nov. 1. The master of ceremonies will be longtime New York Racing Association (NYRA) announcer Tom Durkin.

A native of San Diego, with degrees from the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary, Weir previously served as the director of donor engagement for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. She lives in Saratoga Springs with her husband Bobby. 

The NY Race Track Chaplaincy serves the NY backstretch and farming communities of Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course; providing enrichment programs for children, teens, and women, social services, recreational and educational programming, and non-denominational religious services.

Additional information, including tickets and sponsorships for the event, may be found at www.rtcany.org.