The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has announced that, on the heels of its successful Ocala Initiative, it has launched the Kentucky Initiative and that Hallway Feeds, Hinkle Farms, the Keeneland Association, and Reynolds Bell Thoroughbred Services have joined the initiative as founding partners, supporting the initiative at $10,000 each.

The Kentucky Initiative is dedicated to building on traditional support throughout the commonwealth for research to advance equine health and welfare.

“Grayson has always enjoyed tremendous annual support from Kentucky-based individuals, farms, and organizations,” said Ed Bowen, president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “We’re pleased to have the additional support of these outstanding founding partners, and we look forward to building a community of organizations dedicated to advancing the health of the horse through research. By making these gifts, Hallway Feeds, Hinkle Farms, Keeneland, and Reynolds Bell Thoroughbred Services are showing all of Kentucky how far we can go when we work together to advance critical equine research.”

The Kentucky Initiative is based on the model of the Ocala Initiative, from which the foundation received support from Double Diamond Farm, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co., Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, Ocala Stud, Payton Training Center, Glen Hill Farm, Niall Brennan Stables, Gulfstream Park, and Tampa Bay Downs with matching support from individual donors to fund an equine medical research project. The concept was the brainchild of Ogden Mills Phipps, the long-time former chairman of Grayson and The Jockey Club