Grayson-Jockey Club to Establish 'A. Gary Lavin Chair'

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the nation's leading source of private funding for equine medical research, has created an endowment to support the “A. Gary Lavin Chair.” The full-time position, created in recognition of the late Dr. Gary Lavin's contributions to the foundation and to equine health, will include research advisory committee (RAC) member recruitment, orientation, and management; management of grant applications, reviews, deadlines, and conflict eliminations; fundraising; and publicity.

“Dr. Lavin made innumerable contributions to Grayson over the last 40 years, including time spent as a valued member of both our board of directors and research advisory committee,” said Grayson's chair Dell Hancock. “He was instrumental in the reorganization of our research approval process, which resulted in the development of the research advisory committee we use today. Dr. Lavin believed that the veterinary community should be involved in Grayson's work, and we are proud to honor him with this position, which will facilitate a veterinary relationship with the foundation that he believed was so important.”

Oaklawn Park will be supporting this new role with a lead gift of $250,000.

“For three generations, the Cella-Lavin families have been working together in the best interest of the Thoroughbred,” said Oaklawn's president Louis Cella. “We all have such great memories of Doc. It is a great honor to kick off this campaign to create the A. Gary Lavin Chair.”

Donations to Grayson-Jockey Club for the endowment can be designated specifically for the A. Gary Lavin Chair position. Visit grayson-jockeyclub.org for more information.

“My father was a lifelong advocate of equine health and longtime supporter of Grayson, and my family is proud to see his legacy continue through this new position,” said Kevin Lavin, vice chairman of Grayson. “We are appreciative of the support that it has already received and thankful to the Cella family for their initiative in the fundraising effort.”