The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, which funds equine research, and Home of the Innocents, which provides services for children in need, will be the co-beneficiaries when Breeders' Cup Limited hosts its annual Charity Celebration Nov. 3 at The Henry Clay in Louisville, Ky.The evening will also include a tribute to D.G. Van Clief Jr., who in April announced his retirement as commissioner of the NTRA and president of Breeders' Cup Limited."D.G. Van Clief has contributed so much to the Thoroughbred industry and the Breeders' Cup over the past few decades that honoring him at the celebration seemed only natural," said Dell Hancock, chairman, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. "Our sincerest thanks go to D.G. and to the Breeders' Cup for the wonderful support they've provided to Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and other deserving charities, such as Home of the Innocents, over the years with this Breeders' Cup charity event."Van Clief joined Breeders' Cup Limited in 1982 and was responsible for its early development and funding, overseeing the inaugural running of the Breeders' Cup in 1984. He was elected president of Breeders' Cup Limited in 1996. He also served as the founding chairman of the NTRA when it was created in 1997 and in a variety of other executive capacities in the years since. In July, he was named chairman emeritus of Breeders' Cup and the NTRA.Entertainment at the Breeders' Cup Charity Celebration will be provided by Alison Krauss and Union Station. These multi-Grammy winning artists perform music created from bluegrass roots influenced by country, rock, pop, and soul.In addition, the official painting of the 2006 Breeders' Cup, "Going to Post," by equine artist Booth Malone, will be auctioned off. The painting will be available for viewing at the Breeders' Cup hospitality room in the Camberly Brown Hotel."Breeders' Cup has always been proud to support worthwhile causes with the proceeds from our annual charity celebration," said Van Clief. "Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation underwrites equine medical research that is so important for the ongoing health of all horses, while Home of the Innocents provides critical social services for children in need."
Benefiting all breeds of horses, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has allocated $957,260 to underwrite 20 research projects at 12 universities in 2006, including 12 new projects and the continuation of eight two-year projects approved in 2005. Since 1983, the Foundation has underwritten 210 projects at 32 universities for more than $13 million.