The New York Race Track Chaplaincy announced today that it will honor Marc Holliday, a Thoroughbred owner, breeder and chairman of The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), and his wife Sheree, an avid and competitive equestrian, with the John Hendrickson and Marylou Whitney Award for their generous support of the New York backstretch community at its 19th Annual Fundraising Brunch to be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, NY.
"As Thoroughbred owners, Marc and Sheree Holliday have first-hand knowledge about the dedication of the people who live and work in the backstretch community and they consistently support those workers and their families," said Ramón Dominguez, President of the Board of the NY Chaplaincy. "They richly deserve this honor and we look forward to thanking them in August for all they do to improve the quality of life on the backstretch."
"It is a privilege for Sheree and me to be part of this year's brunch. The Chaplaincy's commitment to supporting the backstretch community reflects compassion and dignity in action, and we are grateful to help shine a light on their important mission."
Marc Holliday, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SL Green Realty Corp., and his wife, Sheree, are deeply engaged in civic and philanthropic efforts, particularly those supporting New York City's business, charitable, educational, and cultural communities. Marc is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the Intrepid Salute Award from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the FDNY Foundation Humanitarian Award and an honoree of the New York City Police Foundation. Under Marc's leadership, SL Green has become Manhattan's largest owner of commercial office properties.
Together, Marc and Sheree have been supporters of various NY Race Track Chaplaincy programs, especially its weekly food pantry, which benefited immensely from their generosity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Marc and his team at SL Green formed the Food1st Foundation in 2020, which has raised nearly $9 million to deliver nearly 1.1 million meals to the vulnerable and first responders across New York, helping revitalize the food and beverage industry through the pandemic.
Previous individuals and organizations honored by the New York Race Track Chaplaincy have included Anne Campbell, Edgar Prado, Michael Dubb, Fay and David Donk, Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, Letty and Kiaran McLaughlin, Lisa and Kenny Troutt, Debbie and Terry Finley, The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Irad Ortiz Jr., Andy Serling, Tracy and Todd Pletcher, Len Green and, last year, Johnny and Leona Velazquez.
Each year, at the Brunch, the honoree is presented with a print by equine artist Tom Chapman. In August 2025, approximately 350 supporters of the NY Race Track Chaplaincy attended the event.
The NY Race Track Chaplaincy, which is celebrating its 40th year of operation, 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.
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