Dr. Gregory Ferraro, the current chairman of the California Horse Racing Board and an equine surgeon and a medical executive, has been named the 17th recipient of the Laffit Pincay, Jr. Award. The 75-year-old will be honored at Del Mar with a ceremony during this Saturday's TVG Pacific Classic Day program. The Pincay Award, named for and presented by the Hall of Fame rider, goes to those who have served the sport “with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination and distinction.”
“I can think of few people who fit the requirements for this award better than Dr. Ferraro,” said Pincay. “He has been a champion for horses and horse people throughout his life and his mark on our game will go on and on. He most certainly deserves this award and it will be my honor to salute him with it.”
Ferraro, a native of San Francisco and a graduate of University of California, Davis and UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, was a working veterinarian and surgeon on the tracks of Southern California for 27 years. Subsequently, he accepted the position of Director of the Center for Equine Health at UC Davis where for 17 years he led efforts to promote research and education in equine medicine to the advantage and health of all breeds of horses. Ferraro, who designed and developed the horse ambulances that are used on North American tracks, also was among those who developed a splint that can be applied to stabilize lower leg injuries in horses. Also, he was among the first to adapt human arthroscopic surgical techniques to horses. He also co-founded the Southern California Equine Foundation that helped established equine hospitals on the backstretches of Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park, the latter of which continues to provide diagnostic, surgical and medical services to injured horses.
Also included among his distinctions, Ferraro has lent his expertise to many industry organizations and boards and has held numerous leadership positions including the Racing Board Medication Committee, the Southern California Equine Foundation, the International Animal Welfare Training Institute and the Dolly Green Research Foundation. He is currently a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
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