Kentucky Derby 2018 win by Flameaway would benefit equine research

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced Thursday that owner John Oxley has pledged to donate 1 percent of the 2018 Kentucky Derby’s winning purse to the foundation should his entrant, Flameaway, win this year’s race. Oxley made a similar pledge to Grayson after his Monarchos won the 2001 Kentucky Derby. The pledge extends to the other two Triple Crown races, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, should Flameaway compete in either event.

“Mr. Oxley has been a bulwark of important financial support for the benefit of all horses through his repeated generosity to Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation,” said Edward L. Bowen, the foundation’s president. “In addition to donating 1 percent of Monarchos’ winning purse in the Derby, the Oxley Foundation established a $1 million challenge match over four years, which resulted in combined donations of more than $2 million for Grayson.

“We are so appreciative of owners who use their racing successes to give back and contribute to the health and soundness of equines.”

Flameaway qualified for the Kentucky Derby via a win in the Sam F. Davis Stakes and second-place finishes in the Blue Grass Stakes and Tampa Bay Derby, earning him 70 points through the eligibility system.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is traditionally the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research that benefits all breeds of horses. The foundation has provided $26 million to fund 358 projects at 43 universities since 1983. Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.