Breeders' Cup Gala Raises $300,000 for Equine Research

The 2004 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships "Not Black Tie" Charity Gala - held Oct. 29th at the Fort Worth Zoo's Texas Wild! Exhibit in Fort Worth, Texas -- raised $300,000 for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

"We are most grateful to the Breeders' Cup, the Fort Worth Zoo and all of the sponsors, advertisers and attendees who contributed to the success of this year's gala," said Nancy Kelly, vice president of development for Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. "We extend special thanks to Ramona Seeligson Bass, who chaired the event and worked so tirelessly to make it a success."

All proceeds from the Gala were shared equally by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Texas Wild! Teacher Institute for the conservation and management of wildlife.

An original pastel painting by equine artist Andre Pater was auctioned off for $175,000 and Pater donated half of that amount to the two charities. Entitled "2004 Breeders' Cup/NTRA World Thoroughbred Championships, Lone Star Park," the painting featured jockeys in the Lone Star Park starting gate, adorned in silks of several of the most prominent Texas horse racing families through the years.

"Proceeds from the Breeders' Cup Gala and other special events are critically important to fulfillment of our mission to provide research funding throughout North America that can and does produce solutions for critical equine health and soundness issues," said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is currently funding 20 research projects at 12 universities throughout North America for more than $850,000. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $11 million to underwrite 189 projects at 31 universities.

Among the current studies are research projects that are examining foal pneumonia, sesamoid fractures and the use of pain-relieving medication in sick and injured horses.