Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park Latest to Join the Ocala Initiative

Two of Florida’s premier Thoroughbred racing tracks, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, have each donated $10,000 in support of the Ocala Initiative - a project designed by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation to advance equine medical research in Florida. They join Double Diamond Farm, Florida Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders’ Association, Glen Hill Farm, Ocala Breeders’ Sales (OBS), Ocala Stud, and Payton Training Center as partners in the initiative.

“Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream are two of the bedrock Thoroughbred racetracks not just of Florida but throughout the U.S., so their commitment to research is really setting an example for stewardship of equine health and welfare,” said Garrett Gleeson, director of development and major gifts for Grayson. “We’re really excited to have both tracks on board, supporting work that’s so crucial to the health of all breeds of horses as well as the horse racing business.”

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is working with organizations in the equine community throughout Florida to raise $100,000 and will then solicit matching funds from individuals.

“The initiative is designed to give those in the equine business the opportunity to give back to the horses that give so much,” Gleeson said.

“Gulfstream and our partner tracks have long been committed to equine research, and we were thrilled to be a part of the Ocala Initiative,” said P.J. Campo, vice president of racing at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino. “We see this opportunity as a way to improve the health of the horse and set an example to owners and trainers that we can and should work to advance research for equine welfare.”

“At Tampa Bay Downs we believe the future is bright for our sport and our track,” said Margo Flynn, vice president of marketing and publicity at Tampa Bay Downs, “and we believe that further investment in equine research will serve to further engage interest in the sport and advance the well-being of our Thoroughbred athletes.”

For more information about how you can support the Ocala Initiative or any of Grayson’s research projects please contact Garrett Gleeson at ggleeson@jockeyclub.com or 212.521.5310.

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. Since 1983, the foundation has provided more than $23.3 million to fund 335 projects at 42 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation and is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.