Funds amounting to $49,000 for a second year of research have been awarded to Dr. Dean Richardson at the University of Pennsylvania by the Thoroughbred Racing Association's NTRA Charities Barbaro Fund for Equine Health and Safety.
The balance of the project costs, which amount to $14,924, will be funded by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. The Barbaro Fund for Equine Health and Safety Research also supported this project in 2010 through the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.
Barbaro, the now-legendary race horse, shattered a hind leg moments after the start of the Preakness stakes in 2006. Although he recovered from the fracture, laminitis problems throughout his recovery eventually led to his death.
Dr. Richardson's project is working toward developing a gene therapy approach to prevent laminitis in horses being treated for a musculoskeletal injury. Richardson was Barbaro's veterinarian during his much-publicized fight for recovery.
In 2008, Pfizer Animal Health joined the National Thoroughbred Racing Association to raise funds for laminitis and equine safety research. Thanks to their efforts, the Barbaro Fund for Equine Health has funded almost $400,000 in research grants and conferences devoted to the study of laminitis..
Since Barbaro's death, hundreds of his fans have given to his legacy fund.