Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation

10/15/2026

💚🐎 Thankful Thursday!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing & Casino for their incredible support of equine health research through the 2026 Grayson Grass Challenge!

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation President Jamie Haydon was thrilled to accept a check for $8,723.05, raised in support of research that benefits horses of every breed and discipline.

We are grateful to the entire Horseshoe Indianapolis team and everyone who participated in making this year's challenge a success!

Together, we're making a difference for the horses who give us so much. 💚

10/13/2026

Dr. Johnny Mac Smith was so much more than his professional accomplishments. He was a kind and compassionate man who made everyone around him feel valued, supported, and cared for.

His impact on the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation was immeasurable. Through his expertise, leadership, and unwavering dedication to equine health, Johnny Mac helped advance research that will benefit horses for generations to come.

Beyond his contributions to veterinary medicine, he was a wonderful friend and mentor who gave so much of himself to others.

His legacy will live on through the research he helped champion, the lives he touched, and the horses he loved so dearly. We are forever grateful for his friendship and dedication. He will be deeply missed. ❤️

Dr. Johnny Mac Smith, a respected equine veterinarian and longtime fixture in the Ocala Thoroughbred community, has died.

10/09/2026

🎙️ What a stellar lineup at the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation hosted The Plaid Horse The Plaidcast Live last night at the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover!

It was a fantastic evening of conversation with the Racing Surface’s Testing Lab’s Andrew Jackson and Mackenzie Rockefeller discussing transitioning off-track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs) from racetrack surfaces to the wide variety of footing they may encounter throughout their second careers. Such an important discussion as we work to support the soundness, health, and longevity of these incredible athletes beyond the racetrack. 🐎

We were also thrilled to have Jessica Paquette join the conversation, sharing stories about her very own OTTB and her experiences paving the way for women in the racing industry. Jessica continues to be an inspiring voice, advocating for greater opportunities for women and encouraging others to use their voices—not only for themselves, but for the horses we all love so dearly.

👏 Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of meaningful conversation, education, and a shared passion for the Thoroughbred!

10/08/2026

Today is the day! Join us at the Retired Racehorse Project this evening for the The Plaid Horse Plaidcast in Person at the Kentucky Horse Park!

🎟️ Get your tickets here: https://www.theplaidhorse.com/the-plaidcast/

10/06/2026

🩺 Grayson is proud to be sponsoring the next generation of DVM students assisting with the Vet arrival exams at the Retired Racehorse Project! 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

10/05/2026

: Why support equine research?

🐴 Because our foals depend on it. ❤️

Research focused on the diseases and conditions that threaten foals during their most vulnerable moments helps provide veterinarians with the treatments, tools, and knowledge needed to give these young horses the best chance at a healthy future. By protecting foal health, we are also protecting the future of our farms, our industry, and the horses we cherish.

Every breakthrough starts with research. Every healthy foal is proof of its impact.

Grayson-funded research could help pave the way for better vaccines and treatments against R. equi, a serious infection that can threaten young foals.

10/02/2026

🎙️Join Grayson at The Plaid Horse Plaidcast Live During the Retired Racehorse Project at the Kentucky Horse Park Theater. 🍿

We're excited to welcome special guest Jessica Paquette, along with representatives from the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, for an engaging conversation celebrating Thoroughbreds and the people working to support them throughout their careers and beyond.

Come be part of the audience, enjoy the discussion, and connect with fellow Thoroughbred enthusiasts at one of the sport's most inspiring events. Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/4AKvH5T

09/30/2026

💜 Champions Give Back is back! Starting Oct 1, your donation to Breeders' Cup World Championships Charities goes twice as far thanks to a matching gift from Ken Freirich. Read more about this incredible match here:https://www.breederscup.com/news/2026/champions-give-back-campaign-returns-ahead-of-breeders-cup

🏇 Support the horses & communities at the heart of Thoroughbred racing: Text BCWC to 855-800-4975 or visit BreedersCup.com/Charities

09/30/2026

Grayson is proud to be a part of the 2026 The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Championships and celebrate the incredible horses who continue to shine long after their racing careers end.

At Grayson, we believe every horse deserves the opportunity to thrive. Supporting the T.I.P. Championships aligns with our mission to advance equine health and welfare through research while highlighting the versatility, longevity, and lifelong value of the Thoroughbred.

We can't wait to celebrate these remarkable horses, riders, and connections in Aiken. Good luck to all competing! 🎉💙

🐎 The countdown is on!

The 2026 T.I.P. Championships will welcome 303 entries from 18 states, representing Thoroughbreds with 3,566 starts, 407 wins, and more than $11.6 million in career earnings.

From the racetrack to the show ring, these horses continue to impress. We can't wait to celebrate them in Aiken!

09/29/2026

brought to you by our friends at American Association of Equine Practitioners

🍁 Not every fall plant is horse-friendly! Keep an eye out for toxic plants like red maple leaves, acorns, boxelder seeds, wild cherry, and Johnsongrass.

A quick pasture check today could help prevent a serious health issue tomorrow.

At Grayson, supporting research and sharing knowledge helps keep horses healthier, safer, and thriving. 💙