The board of directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced that it has authorized expenditure of $1,835,879 to fund 13 new projects and 13 continuing projects at 16 universities, as well as three career development awards. The 2026 slate of research brings Grayson's totals since 1940 to more than $45.8 million to underwrite more than 466 projects at 50 universities.
"Grayson remains deeply committed to research that supports every horse, no matter the breed or discipline," said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson. "We're also thrilled to present this year's recipients of our career development awards, which have been increased to $30,000 per award thanks to the generosity of Lucy Hamilton and the Klein Family. We are also proud to sponsor an award this year in honor of the late Edward Bowen."
Below is an alphabetical list by school of the new projects:
Immunopeptidomic Profiling Of R. Equi Infections
Jeroen Pollet, Baylor College of Medicine
This study uses a cutting-edge method called immunopeptidomics to understand how horse lung cells respond to harmful bacteria called Rhodococcus equi; the results will support vaccine development.
Bile Acids: Linking Metabolic Syndrome To Infertility
Callum Donnelly, Cornell University
This study tests whether bile acids drive infertility in mares with equine metabolic syndrome and if ursodeoxycholic acid can improve ovarian function.
Hyperimmune Plasma Decreases Rhodococcal Pneumonia
Macarena Sanz, Iowa State University
This study aims to rigorously evaluate the efficacy of R. equi-specific hyperimmune plasma in preventing pneumonia to reduce disease incidence and development of antibiotic resistance strains.
Novel Method for Diagnosis of Nocardioform Placentitis - Phase II
Shavahn Loux, Louisiana State University
A sensitive and specific diagnostic test for nocardioform placentitis.
Use of Equine IFNL3 mRNA For Prevention of EHV-1 and EHM
Gisela Soboll Hussey, Michigan State University
This study proposes to develop IFNL3 mRNA administration in horses as a treatment for EHV-1 and EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy and as booster for EHV-1 vaccination.
Phage Therapy Platform For Equine Wound Infections
Lia Danelishvili, Oregon State University
This proposal aims to develop an innovative, targeted phage-based therapy to prevent and treat chronic, hard-to-heal wound infections in horses, ultimately improving recovery rates, reducing complications, and enhancing overall equine health and performance.
Tendon Elastin And Lubricin: Biology And Mechanics
Sushmitha Durgam, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Elucidating the underlying biology and mechanical roles of tendon interfascicular matrix proteins, elastin and lubricin, is essential to identify overuse injury mechanisms and develop novel therapies.
Rapid Diagnostic Tools For Contagious Equine Metritis
Smriti Shringi, Texas Tech University
This study focuses on the development of a rapid field test and confirmatory laboratory assay for the detection of Taylorella equigenitalis, enabling early diagnosis and improved outbreak control of contagious equine metritis.
Navigated Trigeminal Rhizotomy In Horses
Christoph Koch, University of Bern ISME Equine Clinic
The project assesses safety and effectiveness of a novel surgical treatment for trigeminal-mediated headshaking, a debilitating condition in horses for which current treatments are often ineffective.
Definitive Antemortem And Postmortem Diagnostics For NAD
Carrie Finno, University of California-Davis
The goal of this study is to develop diagnostic tests for eNAD/EDM.
ECG Findings and Performance In Thoroughbred Racehorses
Sian Durward-Akhurst, University of Minnesota
This study will use ECGs to improve diagnosis of cardiac-related poor performance allowing for increased monitoring to reduce the frequency of exercise-associated sudden death in Thoroughbred racehorses.
Is Gastric Hyperacidity Significant In Horses?
Allison Stewart, The University of Queensland
By investigating rebound acid hypersecretion in horses, this research would fill a critical knowledge gap and set foundations for improvement of management and anti-ulcer treatment practices.
The Effect of Feed on Gastric pH in the Exercising Horse
Stephanie Bond, The University of Queensland
This study will determine the effect of different pre-exercise feed protocols on gastric pH during exercise, to inform optimal regimens and reduce the risk of equine squamous gastric disease.
Career Development Awards
The Storm Cat Career Development Award, inaugurated in 2006, grants $30,000 to an individual considering a career in equine research. This year, Grayson awarded Charlotte Barton, Colorado State University.
The proposed study focuses on Osteoarthritis (OA), a debilitating progressive joint disease affecting up to 50% of horses 15 years of age and older. Barton theorizes that if the efficiency of the vectors can be improved and tailored specifically to equine joint cells, the dose of vector can also be reduced, which will reduce costs and further the development of a plasmid encoding for two therapeutic proteins that will enable a multi-faceted approach to the treatment of OA. Barton will be mentored by Dr. Laurie Goodrich.
The Elaine and Bertram Klein Career Development Award was first awarded in 2015 and grants $30,000 to a prospective equine researcher. This year's recipient is Evelyn Hodgson, The University of Queensland.
Hodgson's project focuses on wireless gastric pH measurements in exercising horses, and she will be mentored by Dr. Stephanie Bond, a former Storm Cat Award winner. This study will determine the effect various pre-exercise feed protocols have on gastric pH during exercise, enabling the development of optimal regimens to reduce the risk of squamous ulceration.
The Edward Bowen Career Development Award honors the late Edward L. Bowen, who was named president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation in 1994. During his 24 years at Grayson, Bowen helped propel the organization to remarkable success, which included raising $22 million for research projects focusing on the equine species. This award grants $30,000 to Megan Palmisano, North Carolina State University.
Palmisano's project focuses on the regulation of neutrophil functions, which is essential for an appropriate response to infection. Palmisano hypothesizes that exposure of equine neutrophils to key features of the microenvironments in sepsis, including activated platelets, inflammatory cytokines, and high concentrations of lactate and glucose, will augment LPS-induced NETosis and that these factors will replicate the impairment in neutrophil chemotaxis and apoptosis. Palmisano will be mentored by former Storm Cat winner Dr. Rosemary Bayless.
Details on the new projects are available at the following link: grayson-jockeyclub.org/default.asp?section=2&area=Research&menu=2.
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 1940, Grayson has provided nearly $45.8 million to underwrite more than 466 projects at 50 universities. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.
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