Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation (GJCRF) announced today that it had reached the target in fund raising prompted by Starlight Stable’s challenge to raise $75,000 for laminitis research. Starlight issued the challenge last year in memory of Intense Holiday, a stakes-winning colt that seemed headed for additional success until he suffered a condylar fracture.

Following one of the most frustrating scenarios associated with laminitis, expert veterinary care was able to deal with Intense Holiday’s injury, but the added pressure on the opposing limb brought on laminitis and the horse could not be saved.

Starlight owner Jack Wolf issued a challenge to GJCRF. Starlight pledged to donate $75,000 to GJCRF if it could match that amount in other contributions dedicated to the challenge and for laminitis research. He noted at the time that the effort was not only in honor of Intense Holiday, but also other recent victims of laminitis, including St. Nicholas Abbey.

“I was pleased to be informed that Grayson had succeeded in soliciting more than $75,000 to match our challenge,” Wolf said. “I know that Grayson has supported many research projects on laminitis. The recent developments on use of cryotherapy are very promising, and we are glad to have a part in further advances on that and other ways to address this tragic disease.”

Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, noted, “We were confident that donors would come through, and they certainly did. We look forward to announcing a new slate of projects to be funded in 2015, and laminitis will certainly remain a target for efforts by the vigorous equine research community that supports the world of the horse.”

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. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.