Sentient Jet Partners With Leading Horses Track Phantom and Society Man, Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, Brand Ambassador Bobby Flay, and Steps in as Presenting Sponsor of the $600,000 Twin Spires Turf Race For a Memorable Weekend
BOSTON, MA – May 1, 2024 – Sentient Jet, leading private aviation company and inventor of the jet card continues its support of the thoroughbred racing community as the preferred private aviation partner of the Kentucky Derby® and Churchill Downs®. This year, the company celebrates its 25th anniversary and its 8th year partnering with The Kentucky Derby.
For the monumental 150th Kentucky Derby, Sentient Jet proudly stands behind two accomplished horses, as it once again teams up with Card Owner Michael Levinson and L and N Racing as Track Phantom makes his “Run For The Roses”. Sentient Jet previously partnered with L and N Racing and Derby contender Lookin at Lee, who placed second in the 2017 Derby. Track Phantom is trained by Steve Asmussen and will be ridden by new Hall of Famer Joel Rosario. The company will also be teaming up with Card Owners Dean & Patti Reeves and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing to support Society Man trained by Danny Gargan and ridden by international superstar Frankie Dettori. Sentient Jet also extends its support to jockey and Card Owner Tyler Gaffalione, an 11-time leading rider at Churchill Downs, as he makes his seventh Derby start riding a top contender, Sierra Leone.
Sentient Jet is projected to fly over 200 passengers to Louisville, Kentucky this year for the 150th Running of the Derby. Card Owners will once again have the opportunity to experience the excitement of The Derby firsthand, with seamless, convenient, and reliable private flights. As a strong supporter of the thoroughbred racing community for over 16 years, Sentient Jet was the first-ever private aviation partner of Churchill Downs and The Kentucky Derby beginning in 2016.
The company will also be celebrating its 6th annual Derby Day Breakfast for Card Owners, hosted by celebrity chef and brand ambassador Bobby Flay. Set to unfold for the first time at Repeal at The Hotel Distil, Chef Flay will be serving a spectacular French-inspired breakfast and sharing his annual Derby Day picks and betting tips via Sentient Jet’s social media channels on Facebook and Instagram (@sentientjet).
“We are honored to stand as the Kentucky Derby’s preferred private aviation partner for its historic 150th running. We deeply support the passions of our card owners – and one of those key passions is thoroughbred racing. For over 16 years we have remained dedicated to this storied sport, supporting our Card Owners, team owners and spectators from around the world. Celebrating our 25th anniversary alongside The Derby makes this an exciting year for us both, and we are thrilled to continue our tradition of offering Card Owners convenient access to this iconic event,” said Andrew Collins, Co-CEO of Flexjet, Sentient Jet’s parent company.
Over the past decade Sentient Jet has partnered with a number of leading thoroughbreds with successful careers, including Kentucky Derby Champions Nyquist (2016) and Country House (2019), Derby runners-up Epicenter (2022) and Lookin at Lee (2017), as well as notable names like Echo Zulu, Midnight Bourbon, Hidden Stash, Omaha Beach, Gronkowski, Tenfold, Sole Volante and Combatant.
“We are honored to once again partner with our preferred private aviation provider for this historic 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. Sentient Jet’s services and hospitality have not only supported and elevated our sport, but also transported hundreds of spectators to and from the racetrack, bringing our community together each year. We are thrilled to have the company’s support for Track Phantom this year,” said L and N Racing’s Michael Levinson.
“As we prepare for this year’s milestone Derby, Sentient Jet’s support adds an element of convenience and reliability to the excitement generated by having Society Man in America’s premier race,” said Patti Reeves of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. “As the company celebrates its 25th anniversary, we recognize and appreciate the company’s longstanding commitment to the thoroughbred racing community that has enriched the sport.”
“I am proud to team with Sentient Jet for the 150th Running of the Derby, and appreciate the company’s long standing support of the thoroughbred community,” said Tyler Gaffalione, the Jockey of Team Sierra Leone. “Together, we’re focused on making this Derby an unforgettable race both on and off the track. I thank Sentient Jet for their support, experiences, and hospitality. I look forward to an exciting race day.”
About Sentient Jet
Founded in 1999 with the invention of the Jet Card, and now a Flexjet company, Sentient Jet is one of the most innovative private aviation companies across the globe. The Sentient Jet Card offers clients the flexibility and convenience of flying private for their personal and business air travel needs along with a host of unique digital booking tools, including an industry-first with instant, automated text-based booking, a unique sustainability program, and an outstanding service heritage. Sentient Jet is known for its commitment to safety and is guided by an Independent Safety Advisory Board with former FAA and NTSB officials. 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 | Android.
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Media Contact:
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Daphna Barzilay