News Releases

Tuesday, March 12, 2002Contact: Edward L. Bowen (859) 224-2850
Booklet Poised to Help Equine Research

John Oxley, owner of 3-year-old stakes winner Booklet, has pledged a portion of future purses won by the colt to equine research. Last year, Oxley won the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby with Monarchos, and forwarded one percent of the winning purses to Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

Once again on the Triple Crown trail with Booklet, Oxley has pledged one percent of the individual race purses to the Foundation should the colt win any of the following stakes: Florida Derby, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Kentucky Derby, Preakness, or Belmont Stakes.

“This is an exceptionally generous commitment,” said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club. “Mr. Oxley's contribution last year was later matched by a similar contribution by Prince Ahmed Salman, owner of Preakness and Belmont winner Point Given. So, the Foundation had a sort of Triple Crown sweep--all for the betterment of equine research. We hope Mr. Oxley's example once again will be followed by other owners as the key classics and the Triple Crown races play out.”

Last year’s “Racing for Research” program generated $35,940 in funds for Grayson-Jockey Club and also included one percent of the Acorn Stakes purse earned by Debby Oxley’s Forest Secrets.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation funds research throughout North America devoted solely to furthering the health, safety, and soundness of horses. The Foundation this year will fund 22 projects for a total of nearly $800,000 and in the last two decades has provided more than two dozen universities with nearly $9 million to underwrite 179 specific projects. The Foundation is funded by private contributions and membership fees, and membership is open to any interested party.

Contributions in support of the Foundation may be addressed to: Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Inc., 821 Corporate Drive, Lexington, KY 40503-2794. Additional information about the Foundation is available on the Internet at http://home.jockeyclub.com/grayson.html.