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research projects, 13 continuing projects at 16 universities, and three career development awards. This brings Grayson’s total investment since 1940 to more than $45.8 million, funding over 466 projects at 50 universities.
“Grayson remains deeply committed to research that supports every horse, no matter the breed or discipline,” said president Jamie Haydon. “We’re also pleased to expand our career development awards to $30,000, thanks to the generosity of Lucy Hamilton and the Klein Family, and to honor the late Edward Bowen with a dedicated award.”
The 2026 research portfolio spans infectious disease, diagnostics, performance, reproduction, and injury prevention.
Several projects target infectious disease, including Rhodococcus equi, a leading cause of pneumonia in foals. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine will study how equine lung cells respond to infection to aid vaccine development, while Iowa State University will evaluate hyperimmune plasma as a preventive strategy to reduce disease and antibiotic resistance.
Improved diagnostics are another priority. Louisiana State University is advancing a more sensitive test for nocardioform placentitis, and Texas Tech University is developing rapid field and laboratory tests for contagious equine metritis. At the University of California, Davis, researchers aim to create definitive diagnostic tools for equine neurodegenerative diseases.
Novel therapies are also under investigation. Michigan State University is exploring IFNL3 mRNA as a treatment and vaccine booster for equine herpesvirus-1, while Oregon State University is developing phage therapy for chronic wound infections.
Performance and welfare-focused studies include research at Texas A&M AgriLife on tendon biology to better understand overuse injuries, and at the University of Minnesota on ECG screening to detect cardiac-related poor performance and reduce sudden death in racehorses. The University of Bern will assess a new surgical approach for trigeminal-mediated headshaking.
Metabolic and reproductive health are also addressed, with Cornell University examining the role of bile acids in infertility linked to equine metabolic syndrome.
Finally, two projects at the University of Queensland will investigate gastric health, including acid rebound and the effects of feeding strategies during exercise, with the aim of improving management and reducing gastric disease risk.
Together, the funded projects highlight Grayson’s ongoing commitment to advancing equine health through impactful research.
Details on the new projects are available at the following link:
grayson-jockeyclub.org/default.asp?section=2&area=Research&menu=2
