News Releases

Friday, June 08, 2001Contact: Edward L. Bowen (859) 224-2850
Two Owners Pledge Research Donations if Their Colt Wins Belmont Stakes

John Oxley, the owner of Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, and Gary and Mary West, the owners of Dollar Bill, have pledged to donate one percent of the winner's share of the purse to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation if their colt wins Saturday's $1,000,000 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. The winner's share will be $600,000.

Oxley got the "Racing for Research" initiative off the ground this year when he made his pledge -- retroactive to the colt's Florida Derby victory in March -- on April 3. The Florida Derby victory provided $6,000 for the foundation while the Kentucky Derby added another $8,120 (which was matched by the Pin Oak Stud syndicate of Monarchos' sire, Maria's Mon).

Prior to the Preakness, Oxley extended his pledge through the Triple Crown. The Wests made their pledge this week.

"The recent foal problems in Kentucky reaffirm the ongoing need for research and the foundation is deeply grateful to these owners for their generosity and for their commitment to improving equine health and welfare," said Edward L. Bowen, president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

This year, the foundation is allocating over $700,000 for 11 new research projects; in the past two decades, it has contributed $9,000,000 to more than two dozen universities for more than 160 projects. The new studies focus on topics such as immunology, infertility, condylar fractures, equine gastric ulcers, development of safer horseshoes and causes of colic, among others.