Sentient is using the Kentucky Derby to bring attention to Homes For Our Troops which builds and donates specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans.
Directional Aviation’s jet card arm, Sentient Jet (Flexjet and Skyjet are sister companies), announced it will sponsor Combatant in the upcoming 144th running of The Kentucky Derby in an effort to generate awareness and support for Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit organization championed by Combatant’s ownership group Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC.
According to a press release from the jet card seller, 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 has 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 a donated specially adapted custom home brings, Veterans can focus on their recovery and returning to their life’s work of serving others.
Tomorrow, May 3, Sentient will host a group of Veterans on the backside of Churchill Downs for a personal introduction to the Combatant team and the rest of the Derby field. Participating in the event will be Kentucky native Jacob Tamme, a retired NFL tight-end for the Colts, Broncos and Falcons and University of Kentucky alumnus who is known for his support of Veterans through the charity Swings for Soldiers, which he hosts with his wife Allison. On May 5 Sentient will host the Veterans and their spouses as their guest for a special day at the races, beginning with the Sentient Jet Breakfast hosted by Brand Ambassador, celebrity chef, and horse racing fan Bobby Flay at local hotel 21C.
“As we head into our third year as the preferred private aviation partner of the Kentucky Derby, we are excited to mark this milestone with a special contribution to the community. We are honored to support Team Combatant and the important cause this impressive horse represents,” said Sentient’s Andrew Collins, president and CEO. “Combatant joins an elite group of horses that Sentient has hand-picked to support over the last few years, including 2016 Derby-winner Nyquist and 2017 runner-up Lookin’ at Lee. We are looking forward to an exciting weekend cheering Combatant on in Louisville.”
“Since 2004, we have built over 250 homes nationwide, and we hope that the awareness garnered through Combatant’s efforts in the Derby will help us reach our goal of building a home for every Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran who qualifies for one of our specially adapted custom homes,” said Tom Landwermeyer, President/CEO at Homes For Our Troops.
Combatant is a three-year-old horse whose name pays homage to the Veterans whom his ownership group is invested in supporting through Homes For Our Troops. Combatant’s record three straight runner-up finishes in key 2018 races have earned him attention as a promising contender for the 144th Kentucky Derby.
Combatant is owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, the co-owners of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner and two-time winner of the Kentucky Oaks with Summerly and Untapable, and Willis Horton Racing LLC, who has campaigned such notable horses as Will Take Charge and Take Charge Brandi, both Eclipse Award winners. Willis Horton is a longtime horse owner as well as a successful businessman who helmed his family’s D.R. Horton Custom Homes until the business went public in 1992 before dedicating himself full-time to Thoroughbred ownership. Combatant Ownership group will donate 100% of proceeds from Official Kentucky Derby “Combatant” merchandise sales to Homes For Our Troops. Merchandise will be available on-site at the Churchill Downs Store or online at Kentucky Derby Store.
“Derby Saturday is one of the most exciting and highly anticipated horse racing events of the year,” said Case Clay, Representative of Team Combatant. “As Combatant prepares for his Derby run, we are thrilled to partner with Sentient Jet to help bring awareness to an important foundation at the 2018 Kentucky Derby.”
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). The company recently announced the SJ25+ Jet Card offering a Wi-Fi guarantee. Click the links to read our Jet Card Insider review of Sentient’s programs and our analysis of its Lifestyle Partnerships.