| Three dozen individuals representing a cross-section of the breeding, racing and veterinary community have agreed to participate in the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, which is sponsored by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.
"The steering committee has invited dedicated, knowledgeable racing industry representatives, including trainers, jockeys, owners, breeders, consignors, buyers, veterinarians, track personnel, and farm managers, to participate in the summit," said Ed Bowen, president, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.
Among those who have committed to participate in the summit are Rollin Baugh, Jimmy Bell, Bill Casner, Ron Charles, Bob Elliston, Seth Hancock, John Harris, Dr. Ted Hill, Dick Mandella, Chris McCarron, Nick Nicholson, Thomas S. Robbins, Geoffrey Russell, Richard Shapiro, Gary Stevens, Rick Waldman, John T. Ward Jr., Dr. Scot Waterman, and Bayne Welker. The steering committee will release the final list of participants when it is complete.
The summit, a two-day workshop concerning the safety and soundness of the Thoroughbred racehorse, will be held on Monday, October 16, and Tuesday, October 17, at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.
The first morning session will be open to the public. There is no admission, but a voluntary donation to Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation will be accepted.
The open session will be followed by a closed round table discussion and subsequent breakout groups. Monday afternoon, each group will give a 30-minute presentation on their ideas. Participants will meet in a closed session again Tuesday to develop and recommend definitive action plans.
Bowen will moderate the presentation and panel discussions, and Dan Fick, executive vice president and executive director of The Jockey Club, will facilitate the strategic planning session.
The open session will include panel discussions and presentations by the following participants:
- Dr. Rick Arthur and Dr. Larry Bramlage, "Trends in Thoroughbred Racing by the Numbers"
- Dr. Wayne McIlwraith, "Joint Trauma and Osteoarthritis (DJD) — A Major Cause of Attrition in Thoroughbred Racehorses"
- Dr. Michael "Mick" Peterson, "Extending the Careers of Racehorses Through Engineered Racing Surfaces"
- Dr. Sue Stover, "Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries" and "Race Surface Preliminary Findings"
A research packet containing pertinent information on statistics and research abstracts has been provided to all participants to help them better prepare for the summit.
"To gain further public insight, we propose that anyone with suggestions is welcome to submit a one- to three-page summary of their ideas," Bowen said. "We will provide these summaries to the participants prior to the summit."
Summaries should be sent in Word or WordPerfect to khix@jockeyclub.com no later than October 1.
"Horses are the core of the racing industry, and their safety and soundness is paramount to the industry's success," said Dell Hancock, chairman, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. "We hope our findings also benefit horses of all breeds and disciplines."
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation (www.grayson-jockeyclub.org) has allocated $957,260 to underwrite 20 research projects at 12 universities in 2006, including 12 new projects and the continuation of 8 two-year projects approved in 2005. Foundation-funded research helps not only Thoroughbreds and racing, but all breeds and uses of horses. Since 1983 the Foundation has underwritten 210 projects at 32 universities for more than $13 million.
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