Grayson-Jockey Club Approves Record Research Funding

The board of directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced Feb. 18 that it has authorized the expenditure of $1,638,434, the most that the foundation has ever allocated in a year, to fund 12 new projects at 12 universities, 12 continuing projects, and two career development awards worth $20,000 each. This marks the seventh straight year that more than $1 million has been approved. The 2021 slate of research brings Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation's totals since 1983 to more than $30.6 million to underwrite 396 projects at 45 universities.

"We are heartened by the continued commitment of universities to supporting equine veterinary research throughout these difficult times and that we are able to distribute more funding than ever before, enabling us to help horses of all breeds and disciplines," said Dell Hancock, chair of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

"Despite a challenging year, Grayson-Jockey Club was excited to receive 51 grant applications from a variety of veterinary institutions in North America as well as five other countries," said Dr. Stephen Reed, chair of Grayson's research advisory committee. "The subject matter is diverse and ranges from identifying new methods to treat and prevent infectious disease to development of computational models using big data to investigation of novel imaging techniques to prevent orthopedic injuries."

Below is an alphabetical list by school of the new projects:

Passive Immunization of Foals with RNA-AB against R Equi 

Jeroen Pollet, Baylor College of Medicine                              

By inhalation therapy, we intend to deliver the genetic code for a protective antibody against Rhodococcus equi into the lung cells of newborn foals, to rapidly protect them against infection.

Hyperthermia and Acidosis in Exertional Muscle Damage 

Michael Davis, Oklahoma State University               

This project will identify an underlying cause of exercise-associated muscle fatigue and soreness and allow trainers to more precisely condition horses with fewer training days lost to muscle soreness.

Developing an Improved Serological Test for Strangles

Noah Cohen, Texas A&M                                                      

We propose to develop a more accurate blood test to identify horses infected with the bacterium that causes strangles to improve control and prevention of strangles.

Mitigation of Equine Recurrent Uveitis through SOCS 

Joseph Larkin, University of Florida

We seek to design a topical eye drop, using a natural protein, which helps to prevent pain and blindness associated with equine recurrent uveitis.

Environmental Origins of Equine Antimicrobial Resistance

Brandy Burgess, University of Georgia                                 

This study will elucidate how antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants are shared among horses and the hospital environment, as well as the role antimicrobial exposure plays at this interface.

Treatment of Joint Injury with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells 

Thomas Koch, University of Guelph

Evaluation of equine umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells to treat joint injuries in horses.

Optimizing Bone Growth to Reduce Equine Fracture 

Mariana Kersh, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Reduction in distal limb fractures through exercise in young horses would have a significant positive impact on horse welfare and the economics and public perception of the horse industry.

New Generation Equine Influenza Bivalent VLP Vaccine

Thomas Chambers, University of Kentucky  

We propose to create a novel, safe and effective vaccine for equine influenza based on the 21st-century technology of noninfectious virus-like particles produced in plants.

Injury Prediction from Stride Derived Racing Load 

Chris Whitton, University of Melbourne          

By studying patterns in bone fatigue accrual over time in racehorses, we will better, and earlier, identify horses at risk of limb injury, facilitating timely evidence-based preventative strategies.

Predicting Exercising Arrhythmias with Resting ECGs

Molly McCue, University of Minnesota

We will use at rest ECGs to identify horses with irregular heart rhythms at exercise that can cause sudden cardiac death (SCD), allowing for increased monitoring and improved understanding of SCD. 

Understanding and Preventing Supporting Limb Laminitis 

Andrew Van Eps, University of Pennsylvania           

We aim to make supporting limb laminitis preventable through analysis of archived model tissues, a multi-center limb motion study of horses at risk, and development of a prototype therapeutic device.

Diagnosis of Incipient Condylar Stress Fracture

Peter Muir, University of Wisconsin-Madison

This study will save the lives of racehorses by establishing screening using fetlock CT for diagnosis of horses with a high risk of imminent serious injury for personalized clinical care.

The Storm Cat Career Development Award, inaugurated in 2006, grants $20,000 to an individual considering a career in equine research. This year's recipient is Dr. Callum G. Donelly of the University of California, Davis. Dr. Donelly has completed his residency program and is in a research training position under the mentorship of Dr. Carrie Fino. His project, "Proteomic Investigation of Equine Spinal Ataxia," is expected to identify novel protein biomarkers that differentiate normal horses from those with spinal ataxia, with high sensitivity and specificity.

The Elaine and Bertram Klein Career Development Award was first awarded in 2015 and grants $20,000 to a prospective equine researcher. This year's recipient is Dr. Aileen Rowland of Texas A&M University. Dr. Rowland's research focuses on the efficacy of xenogeny-free mesenchymal stem cells for osteoarthritis.

"We are pleased to continue our funding of two career development awards to support individuals passionate about equine research," said Dr. Johnny Mac Smith, consultant to the research advisory committee. "Dr. Donelly and Dr. Rowland are worthy recipients of these grants, and I look forward to seeing how their current and future projects contribute to improving equine health in the future."

Details on the new projects are available online.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of equine research funding. The projects it supports enhance the health and safety of horses of all breeds. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.