Sentient Jet Doubles Down on Kentucky Derby in Support of Nation’s Veterans
Leading Private Aviation Company Announces Official Partnerships
with Derby Contenders Omaha Beach and Country House in Continued Support
of Veteran Nonprofit Homes For Our Troops
BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sentient Jet, a Directional Aviation company and passionate
supporter of the horseracing industry, proudly announces its continued
support of Homes For Our Troops, a Veteran nonprofit that served
as the subject of a successful awareness campaign led by the private
aviation company throughout the 2018 Triple Crown season, through a
partnership with Omaha Beach and Fox Hill Farm at the 145th
running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 4. The partnership, which
marks the latest demonstration of Sentient Jet’s unwavering commitment
to both the Veteran and horseracing communities, will bring national and
necessary attention to the organization’s mission of building and
donating specially adapted custom homes for injured Veterans while
simultaneously welcoming several US Veterans to Churchill Downs to
experience the Kentucky Derby with Sentient Jet, the annual horseracing
event’s Preferred Private Aviation Partner.
Omaha Beach and Country House join a highly-distinguished group of
horses that have been hand-picked by Sentient Jet throughout the brand’s
decade-long presence within the horseracing industry including 2016
Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, 2017 runner-up Lookin’ at Lee and recent
Triple Crown standouts Combatant, Tenfold and Gronkowski.
“Following our introduction to Homes For Our Troops in 2018, the
organization has held special significance to the entire Sentient Jet
team, and we’re thrilled to join forces with Fox Hill Farm and team
Omaha Beach to usher in the next wave of awareness around the inspiring
nonprofit,” said Andrew Collins, president and CEO of Sentient Jet.
“Named to commemorate one of the most momentous military operations in
history, Omaha Beach is the ultimate envoy for this worthy cause, and we
look forward to cheering him on alongside our esteemed guests at the
upcoming Kentucky Derby.”
As part of the partnership, Sentient Jet will host a group of US
Veterans on the backside of Churchill Downs on Thursday, May 2 for an
intimate introduction to the Omaha Beach team. The acclaimed attendees
include Army Specialist Brett Bondurant, Marine Corporal Travis Echols,
Marine Staff Sergeant Matthew Wheeler and Army Sergeant Richard “Tony”
Doyle, all of whom sustained life-altering injuries during their
respective tours of duty. At the track, the group will be joined by
Jacob Tamme, a retired NFL tight-end and University of Kentucky alumnus
who is known for his support of the Veteran community through his work
with Swings for Soldiers, a charity golf tournament that he hosts with
his wife Allison Tamme, for a behind the scenes look at the entire
Kentucky Derby field.
On Saturday, May 4, the Veterans will be honored guests at Sentient
Jet’s third annual Derby Day Breakfast hosted by brand ambassador and
celebrity chef Bobby Flay before returning to Churchill Downs to watch
Omaha Beach compete in the 145th running of the Kentucky
Derby. Named for the most intensely fought after beach of World War II’s
D-Day, Omaha Beach is a Kentucky-bred three-year old colt owned by
longtime horseracing entity Fox Hill Farm and trained by legendary
Richard Mandella. The Thoroughbred is one of many that Fox Hill Farm’s
owner Rick Porter has named in reference to important military moments
with the intention of reminding racing fans of the incredible sacrifices
that have been made by the nation’s Veterans throughout its history. As
one of the Derby’s leading contenders, Omaha Beach will be
well-positioned to bring great visibility and attention to Homes For Our
Troops and the Veteran community at large.
“Fox Hill Farm has long been committed to honoring our nation’s Veterans
and bringing attention to all they have done for our country, and we’re
proud to partner with Sentient Jet and Homes For Our Troops to celebrate
and support the Veteran community at the Derby,” said Rick Porter, owner
of Fox Hill Farm. “Following a solid start to the 2019 season, we’re
expecting great things from Omaha Beach at the upcoming race, but no
matter the outcome, his advocacy of our nation’s finest will no doubt be
a highlight of his career.”
The partnership builds upon Sentient Jet’s multi-year awareness campaign
in support of the nonprofit, which began with the company’s partnership
with Combatant at the 2018 Kentucky Derby followed by Tenfold at the
2018 Preakness Stakes and 2018 Belmont Stakes. In its inaugural year,
the campaign generated significant local and national media attention
across both the horseracing and larger consumer landscape, with prime
coverage on Fox Business TV and NBC Sports Network, among
others, as well as considerable direct donations.
“We are grateful that Sentient Jet has chosen to bring attention to our
Veterans and organization at the Kentucky Derby again this year,” said
Tom Landwermeyer, president and CEO of Homes For Our Troops. “The
awareness raised by this campaign helps advance our important mission
and provide more injured Veterans with the adapted homes they need and
deserve.”
Homes For Our Troops builds and donates specially adapted custom homes
nationwide for severely injured post – 9/11 Veterans. Most of these
Veterans have sustained life-altering injuries, and these homes enable
them to focus on their family, recovery and rebuilding their lives.
Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar spent have
gone directly to program services for Veterans. Homes For Our Troops
builds homes where a Veteran chooses to live and continues its
relationship with the individual after home delivery. Empowered by the
freedom that a donated, specially adapted custom home brings, Veterans
can focus on their recovery and returning to their life’s work of
serving others.
Adding to Sentient Jet’s already impressive Derby Day presence, Sentient
Jet will also sponsor a second Kentucky Derby contender on Saturday, May
4, Country House. Owned by Guinness McFadden and trained by
William Mott, Country House has finished in the top three of his past
six career races and qualified for the Kentucky Derby with a third-place
finish at the Arkansas Derby in Oaklawn Park.
“The Country House team is honored to have this unique opportunity to
support those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country, and
we’re getting Country House ready to run the race of his life on their
behalf,” said Guinness McFadden, owner of Country House. “We thank
Sentient Jet and Homes For Our Troops for allowing us to be a part of
this cause and look forward to celebrating alongside our partners at the
Kentucky Derby and beyond.”
As the Preferred Private Aviation Partner of the Kentucky Derby,
Kentucky Oaks and Churchill Downs, Sentient Jet will be hosting several
exclusive experiences for Cardholders and fans during the 2019 event,
including bespoke private shuttle services, on-site hospitality
offerings and the third annual Derby Day Breakfast with Bobby Flay. The
upcoming event is the fourth consecutive that Sentient Jet will
participate in an official capacity since becoming the first private jet
provider to assume the role of Preferred Private Aviation Partner in
2016.
As one of the country’s leading private aviation companies, Sentient Jet
provides clients with private flying opportunities for all their air
travel needs. Sentient Jet offers its 25-Hour Jet Card in four jet-size
options, allowing clients to purchase flight time on Light, Mid,
Super-Mid, and Heavy aircraft as well as in two age classes (Preferred
and Select), starting at just $131,800. The company recently announced
the SJ25+ Super-Mid Jet Card. Offered at $224,275 for 25 hours of flight
time, SJ25+ offers Cardholders guaranteed access to the most popular
Super-Mid Size jets, all of which are Wi-Fi enabled. Sentient Jet
Cardholders receive a rare combination of industry leading service and
safety, complete with a one-year lock on all-inclusive hourly rates,
with the added bonus of 15% discounts on hourly pricing for qualifying
round-trip travel. Through Sentient Jet’s mobile app, Sentient Jet
Cardholders can also book private jet travel on-the-go, as well as
access flight details, initiate assistance through a 24/7 live chat
feature, and localized recommendations for exclusive benefits.
About Homes For Our Troops
Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a publicly funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit
organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes
nationwide for severely injured post – 9/11 Veterans, to enable them to
rebuild their lives. Most of these Veterans have sustained life-altering
injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis,
and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These homes restore some of
the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our
country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and
rebuilding their lives. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of
every dollar spent has gone directly to our program services for
Veterans. HFOT builds these homes where the Veteran chooses to live, and
continues its relationship with the Veterans after home delivery to
assist them with rebuilding their lives. Visit https://www.hfotusa.org/ to
learn more.
About Sentient Jet
Founded in 1999 and now an integral part of Directional Aviation,
Sentient Jet is one of the leading private aviation companies in the
country. The Sentient Jet Card Program offers clients the flexibility
and convenience of flying private for their personal and business air
travel needs with industry-leading value. Sentient Jet is known for
outstanding service and a commitment to safety programs, including the
industry’s first and only Independent Safety Advisory Board. Sentient
Jet’s extensive network of certified operators ensures that clients will
always have access to executive aircraft that meet their rigorous
standards for safety and quality. Visit sentient.com
for more information. You can also follow Sentient Jet on social media
platforms, including Twitter,
Facebook
and Instagram.
Download the Sentient Jet Mobile App: iOS
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Contacts
Media:
Nike Communications, Inc.
Charlotte Goodman
cgoodman@nikecomm.com
646-654-3413