Details of Barbaro Scholarship Program Announced

Gulfstream Park, in conjunction with the University of Florida and Magna Entertainment Corp., announced today the establishment of the Barbaro Scholarship Program. The program is designed to provide financial assistance and professional mentoring, through the American Association of Equine Practitioners, to students pursuing a career in equine medicine and surgery.

The program, with first-year funding of $30,000, will offer three scholarships. Two scholarships will be awarded to fourth-year UF veterinary students who are committed to a career in equine medicine and surgery. These scholarships, each worth $12,500, will be known as the Florida Derby Scholarships. A third scholarship, worth $5,000, will be awarded to a graduate student in equine veterinary research at the university. This will be known as the Barbaro Research Scholarship.

In subsequent years the program will be expanded to include scholarships at the high school and undergraduate levels.

“The health and safety of the thoroughbred, and those who ride and take care of them, is of paramount importance to Magna Entertainment Corp.” said Gulfstream Park President Bill Murphy. “We shared the exhilaration that Barbaro’s owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, felt after their great colt won the Holy Bull Stakes and Florida Derby at Gulfstream, then the Kentucky Derby. And we shared their despair after he suffered his injury two weeks later.

“That injury has served as a call -- not only to the veterinary community, but also to all who love the thoroughbred and make a living in the racing industry -- to do all we can to promote research that will one day lead to the kind of medical developments that will preserve the lives of some of these wonderful animals. On behalf of Frank Stronach, Chairman of MEC, we are proud to offer assistance to any young person who values the thoroughbred as we do.

“We would also like to thank our track veterinarian, Dr. Mary Scollay, for her tremendous efforts in helping to get this program up and running.”

The names of the scholarship winners will be announced March 24 with a presentation scheduled for the winner’s circle March 31, Florida Derby Day at Gulfstream Park.

“Achieving the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine requires personal dedication and significant financial commitment,” said Dr. Scollay. “This program will be an immense help to young people who will one day be providing veterinary care to our magnificent Thoroughbred athletes. The courageous spirit of Barbaro; the compassion of his owners, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson; the dedication of his veterinary team; and the generosity and vision of Magna make this award very special indeed.

For more information, contact Mike Mullaney, phone: 954-457-6451, Mike.Mullaney@gulfstreampark.com