Grayson-Jockey Club Calls for Research into EHV Vaccine

Edited press release

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has issued a formal call for research applications focused on the development of a nucleic acid-based vaccine against equine herpes virus (EHV). Dr. John Ballantyne and Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation have committed $2 million to fund this research.

“We are so grateful to Dr. Ballantyne for his generosity in supporting efforts to address EHV, a disease that affects all horses,” said Dell Hancock, chair of the foundation. “This gift will enable Grayson to continue its commitment to funding critical research for horses, and our research advisory committee looks forward to seeing what proposals are submitted.”

“As a horse owner with a biotechnology background, I recognize the danger of EHV and see the potential for nucleic acid-based vaccines for combating this disease,” said Dr. Ballantyne. “I am proud to work with Grayson to support EHV research.”

Grayson is interested in research proposals focused on EHV-1, EHV-3, and EHV-4, with a multivalent or pan-valent approach. Researchers must have the ability to conduct an in vivo proof of principle of efficacy in the equine model in-house or through collaboration. Applications from established equine investigators collaborating with experts from other fields (e.g., human vaccinologists) are strongly encouraged. It is anticipated that this research will span three to four years and possibly multiple projects.

Grant applications are due October 1, 2022, and can be submitted at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

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 $30.6 million to fund 397 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas.

The post Grayson-Jockey Club Calls for Research into EHV Vaccine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Establishes ‘A. Gary Lavin Chair’; Oaklawn Park Donates $250,000

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced today the creation of an endowment to support a full-time position, the “A. Gary Lavin Chair,” in recognition of Dr. Gary Lavin's contributions to the foundation and equine health. Lavin died at age 83 in February.

“Dr. Lavin made innumerable contributions to Grayson over the last 40 years, including time spent as a valued member of both our board of directors and research advisory committee (RAC),” said Dell Hancock, chair of Grayson. “He was instrumental in the reorganization of our research approval process, which resulted in the development of the research advisory committee we use today. Dr. Lavin believed that the veterinary community should be involved in Grayson's work, and we are proud to honor him with this position, which will facilitate a veterinary relationship with the foundation that he believed was so important.”

[Story Continues Below]

Oaklawn Park will be supporting this new role with a lead gift of $250,000.

“We are grateful to Oaklawn and the Cella family for their demonstrated commitment to equine health in helping to fund this position,” Hancock said.

“For three generations, the Cella-Lavin families have been working together in the best interest of the Thoroughbred,” said Louis Cella, president of Oaklawn. “We all have such great memories of Doc. It is a great honor to kick off this campaign to create the A. Gary Lavin Chair.”

Responsibilities of the A. Gary Lavin Chair will include RAC member recruitment, orientation, and management; management of grant applications, reviews, deadlines, and conflict eliminations; fundraising; and publicity.

“My father was a lifelong advocate of equine health and longtime supporter of Grayson, and my family is proud to see his legacy continue through this new position,” said Kevin Lavin, vice chairman of Grayson. “We are appreciative of the support that it has already received and thankful to the Cella family for their initiative in the fundraising effort.”

Those who are interested in supporting the endowment can designate donations to Grayson as being specifically for the A. Gary Lavin Chair position.

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 $30.6 million to fund 397 projects at 45 universities in North America and overseas. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

The post Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Establishes ‘A. Gary Lavin Chair’; Oaklawn Park Donates $250,000 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Grayson-Jockey Club to Establish ‘A. Gary Lavin Chair’

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research, has created an endowment to support the “A. Gary Lavin Chair.” The full-time position, created in recognition of the late Dr. Gary Lavin's contributions to the foundation and to equine health, will include research advisory committee (RAC) member recruitment, orientation, and management; management of grant applications, reviews, deadlines, and conflict eliminations; fundraising; and publicity.

“Dr. Lavin made innumerable contributions to Grayson over the last 40 years, including time spent as a valued member of both our board of directors and research advisory committee,” said Grayson's chair Dell Hancock. “He was instrumental in the reorganization of our research approval process, which resulted in the development of the research advisory committee we use today. Dr. Lavin believed that the veterinary community should be involved in Grayson's work, and we are proud to honor him with this position, which will facilitate a veterinary relationship with the foundation that he believed was so important.”

Oaklawn Park will be supporting this new role with a lead gift of $250,000.

“For three generations, the Cella-Lavin families have been working together in the best interest of the Thoroughbred,” said Oaklawn's president Louis Cella. “We all have such great memories of Doc. It is a great honor to kick off this campaign to create the A. Gary Lavin Chair.”

Donations to Grayson-Jockey Club for the endowment can be designated specifically for the A. Gary Lavin Chair position. Visit grayson-jockeyclub.org for more information.

“My father was a lifelong advocate of equine health and longtime supporter of Grayson, and my family is proud to see his legacy continue through this new position,” said Kevin Lavin, vice chairman of Grayson. “We are appreciative of the support that it has already received and thankful to the Cella family for their initiative in the fundraising effort.”

The post Grayson-Jockey Club to Establish ‘A. Gary Lavin Chair’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

UK Gluck Center Responds to Uptick of Foal Diarrhea Cases

Edited Release

The first several months of the year make up the bulk of the busy foaling season in Central Kentucky, so when the region's farms and equine practitioners began noticing increases of diarrhea in foals ages two to seven days old, there was concern.

In response, the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center is using a portion of its existing Koller Emergency Funds, and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Foundation, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and Coolmore America are leading an effort to help provide additional funding, allowing research to begin immediately.

“Anytime we recognize an increased incidence in equine health cases, such as foal diarrhea, we prepare and mobilize to further our understanding of the health issue,” said David Horohov, chair of the Department of Veterinary Science and director of the Gluck Equine Research Center. “Early detection and rapid diagnostics are at the cornerstone of what drives our research approach.”

Foals commonly develop diarrhea a week to 10 days after foaling, and veterinarians and farm owners typically have the experience and tools to respond. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, it is important for a veterinarian to evaluate foals under a month old when they experience diarrhea because they can develop life-threatening dehydration in as few as six to eight hours.

“The foundation members met Mar. 15 and felt this research and timing was consistent with the sole mission of immediately responding to threats to the breeding industry in Central Kentucky. We are grateful to Gluck for accessing their emergency funds and everyone for responding so quickly,” said Jimmy Bell, chairman of the KTOB Foundation.

The post UK Gluck Center Responds to Uptick of Foal Diarrhea Cases appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights