named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Equine Research Funding Program
Core grantmaking initiative that funds scientific studies on equine health, including laminitis, EHV-1, bisphosphonates, and respiratory diseases
Professionals' Circle
Program engaging equine industry professionals in fundraising and advocacy for equine research
Rider Ambassador Programs
Initiative enlisting riders and trainers to promote and support equine research efforts
Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit
Biennial summit convening industry stakeholders to discuss research, policy, and practices related to racehorse safety, health, and integrity
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Equine Health and Welfare Education 5 activities
- Advancing equine health research through targeted studiesSupports and publishes findings from specific equine health research initiatives, including studies on bisphosphonate detection via hair testing, the Rhodococcus equi genome, DNA vaccination for Equine Herpesvirus-1, transfixation pin casting, Neurokinin antagonists for airway disease, BMP technology in fracture healing, pain management drug effects, and stallion subfertility. Research outcomes have informed clinical practices and product development.
- Co-hosting national summits on racehorse welfare and safetyCoordinated and underwrote the first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit in 2006 with The Jockey Club and has hosted or supported subsequent summits in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020 (webinar), 2022, and 2024 to advance industry-wide safety initiatives.
- Engaging industry professionals in equine research supportRuns outreach and donor programs such as the Professionals' Circle, Rider Ambassador program, and the 'Share the Wins' initiative, which links donations to racing performance. Engages trainers, jockeys, riders, and fans in supporting equine health research.
- Maintaining and disseminating equine injury and performance dataOperates the Equine Injury Database™ to track and analyze injury trends, contributing to a documented decline in fatal injury rates for four consecutive years. Also publishes annual stallion durability statistics based on prior year racing data, with reports available through 2026.
- Producing and sharing educational equine health contentCreates and distributes video content highlighting research findings, expert insights, and educational discussions on equine health and welfare. Also co-sponsored and published findings from research panels, such as Colorado State University’s studies on sesamoiditis and stifle conditions.
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Medical Research Funding 1 activity
- Funding equine health research projects globallyAwards grants for equine health research projects based on scientific merit, funding studies at universities across the United States and internationally, including Cornell University, University of California-Davis, and University of Kentucky. Since 1940, has funded over 466 research projects totaling more than $45.8 million.
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Psychoanalytic and Therapeutic Training Support 1 activity
- Funding research career development for equine scientistsProvides Research Career Development Awards, including the Storm Cat Award and Elaine and Bertram Klein Development Award, to support early-career researchers such as Dr. Heidi Reesink at Cornell University and Dr. Lauren Schnabel. Offers downloadable applications and sets annual deadlines (e.g., November 2, 2026).
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Administering a structured research grant review and approval processManages a formal grant review system using a Research Advisory Committee of scientists and clinical specialists. Assigns four reviewers per proposal—two for scientific merit, two for industry relevance—with a Composite Reviewer consolidating evaluations. Requires conflict-of-interest disclosures and issues funding decisions for board approval, with announcements typically in early March.
- Managing major donor recognition and fundraising initiativesAdministers donor recognition programs including the Rokeby Circle for annual contributions of $10,000 or more, established following Paul Mellon’s $2.5 million bequest. Has received and managed significant donations, including $2 million from the Kleberg Foundation and $1 million from Paul Mellon, and secured $250,000 annually for four years via the Oxley Foundation match.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$5.21M
Contributions & grants$2.29M44%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2.92M56%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$3.34M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising17%
Salaries & benefits$531K
Grants paid out$2.42M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$50.53M
Cash$2.11M
Investments$48.31M
Liabilities$202K
Net assets$50.32M
Liquid reserves181.2 mo
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +59.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMIE S HAYDON | PRESIDENT | 40 | $189K |
| HOLLY WHITE | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $133K |
| RESIA AYERS | SECRETARY (PARTIAL YEAR), OPERATIONS MANAGER | 40 | $88K |
board members · 20
- ADELE B DILSCHNEIDER — DIRECTOR
- BEN HAGGIN — DIRECTOR
- BRAXTON JONES LYNCH — DIRECTOR
- CHARLSIE CANTEY — DIRECTOR
- DAISEY PHIPPS PULITO — DIRECTOR
- DELL HANCOCK — DIRECTOR/CHAIRMAN (PARTIAL YEAR)
- DONALD R DIZNEY — DIRECTOR
- DR HIRAM C POLK JR — DIRECTOR
- DR LARRY R BRAMLAGE — DIRECTOR
- DR RICK M ARTHUR — DIRECTOR
- GEOFFREY RUSSELL — VICE CHAIRMAN (PARTIAL YEAR)
- J MICHAEL O'FARRELL — DIRECTOR
- JOHN C OXLEY — DIRECTOR
- JOHN M B O'CONNOR — DIRECTOR
- KEVIN LAVIN — CHAIRMAN (PARTIAL YEAR)
- LOUIS CELLA — DIRECTOR
- LUCY YOUNG HAMILTON — DIRECTOR
- PERRY R BASS — DIRECTOR
- STUART S JANNEY III — DIRECTOR
- VINNIE VIOLA — DIRECTOR
relationships · 45
Who they work with
- Bergen Stables Partner — Partner stable participating in the 'Share the Wins' program, highlighting individual horses such as 'Lola' to promote donor engagement.
- Churchill Downs Incorporated Partner — Partnered with Grayson to commit funding for equine research.
- Colorado State University Partner — Collaborated on research related to sesamoiditis and stifle conditions in horses.
- Colorado State University Partner — Funded by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation for equine research.
- Cornell University Partner — Funded by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation for equine research.
- Cornell University Partner — Supported research and career development of faculty including Dr. Bettina Wagner, Dr. Amanda de Mestre, Dr. Thomas Divers, and Dr. Heidi Reesink.
- Dr. Johnny Mac Smith Partner — A. Gary Lavin Research Chair and member of the Research Advisory Committee
- Dr. Larry Bramlage Partner — Member of the Research Advisory Committee and Board of Directors
- Dr. Rick Arthur Partner — Member of the Research Advisory Committee and Board of Directors
- Dr. Steve Reed Partner — Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee
- Elaine & Bertram Klein Development Award Partner — Award name under which research career development grants are funded.
- Elaine and Bertram Klein Partner — Names an award for equine research career development after donors Elaine and Bertram Klein.
- Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Partner — Presents events that benefit Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.
- Horseracing Levy Board Partner — Partnered with Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation on the Rhodococcus equine genome project.
- Irish Equine Centre Partner — Partnered with Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation on the Rhodococcus equine genome project.
- Jacqueline B. Mars Funder — Sponsors the Professional Circle program
- Keeneland Partner — Hosted the first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit in 2006, supported by the Foundation.
- Keeneland Partner — Hosts the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit and partners on fundraising initiatives.
- Michigan State University Partner — Funded by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation for equine research.
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Partner — One of the agencies that co-funds research initiated with Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation support.
- North Carolina State University Partner — Collaborates with researchers Dr. Anthony Blikslager and Dr. Amanda Ziegler on colic research.
- North Carolina State University Partner — Funded research by Dr. Lauren Schnabel and supported veterinary research on colic and other equine conditions.
- Ohio State University Partner — Funded by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation for equine research.
- Old Kentucky Chocolates Partner — Offers specialty gift boxes with proceeds benefiting Grayson.
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Partner — Provides peer-review validation and subsidized horses and facilities for Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation-supported research.
- Oxley Foundation Funder — Pledged $1 million over four years through the Oxley Challenge, contingent on matching funds, which the Foundation successfully achieved.
- Purdue University Partner — Supported research by Dr. Laurent Couetil on respiratory health and exertional muscle damage in racing Thoroughbreds.
- Research Advisory Committee Partner — Mixed group of scientists and clinical specialists that evaluates and ranks research proposals for funding
- Research Advisory Committee Partner — Scientific committee responsible for evaluating and recommending research proposals for funding.
- Robert J. Kleberg and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation Funder — Donated $2 million to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation in 1991 to support equine research.
+ 15 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Expert-Guided, Collaborative Research Prioritizationmethodology: scientist_clinician_collaborative_reviewBy combining scientific expertise with frontline veterinary experience and ensuring geographic representation in review, the foundation prioritizes equine health research that addresses the most pressing, regionally relevant challenges in the horse industry, because this collaborative model improves the real-world applicability and impact of funded research.
- Independent, Academically-Linked Grantmakingmethodology: independent_grantmakingBy remaining independent of any single academic institution while funding research at universities with equine science programs, the foundation ensures objectivity and access to high-quality research infrastructure, because this hybrid model maximizes scientific rigor and avoids institutional bias.
- Performance-Linked and Ambassador-Driven Engagementmethodology: performance-linked_givingBy linking donor contributions to the performance of specific horses and empowering ambassadors to spread awareness, the foundation deepens emotional investment and expands outreach, because personal connection to the sport increases donor engagement and advocacy more effectively than traditional fundraising alone.
- Targeted Research Funding with Field-Building Impactmethodology: targeted_research_fundingBy funding peer-reviewed, high-priority research in specific equine health areas—such as infectious disease, laminitis, and reproduction—and structuring grants to train emerging scientists, the foundation advances equine health while building long-term research capacity, because targeted investment in both science and people compounds innovation and sustainability in the field.