Foundation Allocates $1.1 Million for Equine Research

The board of directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has approved a budget of $1,100,500 to fund research in 2015. The budget will fund 10 new projects, seven second-year projects, and two Career Development Awards to encourage young scientists. Also, the budget allows for a special call for more research, which will be announced at a later date. The 2015 funding brings the foundation's totals since 1983 to 322 projects at 41 universities for an aggregate of $22 million.

"Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to fund every one of the projects that our Research Advisory Committee evaluated as qualifying for support," said Edward L. Bowen, president of the foundation. "The fact that we also can reach out with a special call is a true bonus for us and, more importantly, for the horse."

The 10 new projects address an important range of issues, including laminitis, foal pneumonia, stem cell treatment, stress hormones that affect neurological functions in newborn foals, and equine herpesvirus. Details on the projects are available on the following link: grayson-jockeyclub.org/default.asp?section=2&area=Research&menu=2.

The Career Development Awards program was initiated in 2006 with the first Storm Cat Award. This was named for the famous stallion that stood at Overbrook Farm, the family of foundation board member Lucy Young Hamilton. Mrs. Hamilton personally underwrites the $15,000 stipends to assist in specific research by young candidates who pursue a career path in equine research. The 2015 Storm Cat Career Development winner is Aimee Colbath of Colorado State University.

The family of the late Elaine Klein has inaugurated another Career Development Award in memory of the distinguished equestrienne. The Klein Family Foundation is based in Louisville, Ky. The recipient of the inaugural $15,000 Elaine Klein Career Development Award is Sophie Bogers of the Marion du Pont Scott Equine Medical Center.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.