Horses and Hope℠ was started in 2008 by former First Lady Jane Beshear and the Kentucky Cancer Program, University of Louisville, with the support of the Pink Stable, a committee of Kentucky horse owners, riders, trainers, farm owners, jockeys, and others. The mission is to increase breast cancer awareness, education, screening and treatment referral among Kentucky's signature horse industry workers and their families, many of who are uninsured and underserved. Special events are held throughout the state to honor breast cancer survivors and to raise funds for Horses and Hope. Friends of Horses and Hope including Churchill Downs, Keeneland, the North American Championship Rodeo and others who continue to support programs. Today, Horses and Hope has been expanded to offer cancer prevention and early detection programs along with screening and treatment referrals for many different cancers through the mobile van. For more information, contact the Kentucky Cancer Program 1-877-326-1134 or email.

Horses and Hope is pleased to be a charity partner for the 2022 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade.  The new video featuring the Horses and Hope Cancer Screening Van will appear on the Jumbotron at Churchill Downs for the event.

Horses and Hope Cancer Screening Van

Operated by UofL Health Brown Cancer Center, the Horses and Hope Cancer Screening Van is on the road daily to deliver life-saving services. It is equipped to provide education and screening to men and women for multiple cancers. Services are offered to both insured and uninsured individuals including the medically underserved horse industry workers at thoroughbred race tracks in collaboration with the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund and the Kentucky Women's Cancer Screening Program. The van is supported by KCP, the Kentucky African Americans Against Cancer, and bilingual outreach workers. The Kentucky State Fair is the highlight of the year where people from across the state receive hundreds of cancer screening services during the 11 days. Learn more

Horses and Hope Pink Mustang

A pink Ford Mustang, the pace car for the 2011 NASCAR World Spring cup, was donated by Paul Miller Ford in honor of the 10th anniversary of Horses and Hope. The car travels the state today to raise cancer awareness at special events like the Kentucky State Fair, the North American Championship Rodeo, community festivals, and other locations. Most recently, it appeared at a concert with Sheryl Crowe, a breast cancer survivor, in Beaver Dam and in the inaugural parade for Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

View Horses and Hope Pink Mustang Tour 

Horses and Hope Race Days

Race days attracting sell out crowds of breast cancer survivors and guests are held at Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and Turfway Park Thoroughbred Tracks every year. Hosted by Former First Lady Jane Beshear, the events feature entertainment, celebrity guests, lunch, a Horses and Hope souvenir, and a horse race honoring breast cancer survivors. Watch the calendar for upcoming events.

Pink Stable Members

Jane Beshear, Founder, Anita Cauley, Patricia Cooksey, Carol Farmer, Ann Bakhaus, Mary Midkiff, Judy Miller, Misdee Wrigley Miller, Barbara Thomason, Elaine Walker, and Donna Ward