The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation’s board of
directors on Thursday announced that the foundation will fund a slate of 19 research
projects worth $1,003,580 in 2014. The list includes 11 new projects and five
that are in their second year, as well as three Storm Cat Career Development
Awards.
The 2014 allocation brings the foundation’s total impact
since 1983 to $20.9 million in funding for 310 projects at 41 universities.
“The overwhelming generosity of members, donors and those
who support our fund-raising events has enabled us to allot $1 million in
research this year that will once again benefit horses of all breeds and
disciplines,” Chairman Dell Hancock said. “Providing funding of more than $20
million for 310 research projects in a 30-year period certainly confirms the
deep commitment of our board and supporters to equine health.”
The 2014 total includes funding for three Storm Cat Career
Development Awards, which are stipends of $15,000 each to young scientists.
“The tightening of university budgets today is a cause of
concern when it comes to recruiting the next generation of equine researchers,” Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation President Edward L. Bowen
stated. “Through these development awards, our foundation is assisting young
candidates to encourage their interest in this field.”
The first Storm Cat Award was presented in 2006, and one
award annually has been underwritten since then by board member Lucy Young
Hamilton. The award is named in honor of stallion Storm Cat, who was bred, raced
and stood at Overbrook Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, for Hamilton’s family. In each of the
last two years, the Foundation board has approved two additional Storm Cat
Awards.
Funding decisions for research grants are made by the board
after input from a 32-person Research Advisory Committee, which is composed of
researchers and veterinarians representing various specialties. Grayson-Jockey
Club Research Foundation received 59 proposals for research for the 2014 funding
cycle.
The breakdown of the 11 new regular projects being funded
is infectious disease (5), musculoskeletal soundness (3), laminitis (2) and respiratory (non-infectious) disease
(1). Descriptions of the new projects,
continuing projects, and Storm Cat Award projects are available by clicking
here.
The foundation also announced Thursday that the board approved
the appointment of Dr. Steve Reed, a prominent veterinarian affiliated with Rood
& Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, to succeed Dr. Paul Lunn as chairman
of the Research Advisory Committee.
Lunn served in that role for five years, but stepped down
due to ongoing commitments in his position as the dean of the College of
Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. Reed conducted notable
research at The Ohio State University before joining Rood & Riddle.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com