Lambert Shines Bright: Receives Prestigious Galbreath Award!
On December 5th, an extraordinary night unfolded at The Olmsted in Louisville, Kentucky, as Dr. David Lambert was celebrated with the prestigious John W. Galbreath Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship in the Equine Industry. This remarkable honor, bestowed by the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program, shines a spotlight on individuals whose innovative spirit has transformed the equine landscape.
The Galbreath Award, a symbol of excellence since 1990, recognizes those who’ve made a significant, positive impact through entrepreneurial leadership. Dr. Lambert’s nomination came from Gwen Davis of Davis Innovation, who has partnered with him in a marketing capacity for over seven years. Her unwavering belief in Lambert’s vision made the nomination an easy choice.
“Nominating him was a total no-brainer,” Davis enthused as she introduced him to the audience. “Dr. Lambert employs revolutionary scientific concepts and technologies to push the boundaries of what’s possible. For him, well enough is never good enough. He’s all about what happens next.” It’s this forward-thinking mindset that truly sets him apart.
Originating from England, Dr. Lambert earned his veterinary science degree from Liverpool University, dedicating his career to harnessing his deep understanding of equine physiology to predict horse performance. In 1987, he founded Equine Analysis Systems, a trailblazing firm that provides insightful consultations to Thoroughbred owners and breeders, effectively predicting the performance of individual horses.
Dr. Lambert’s expertise has guided clients in selecting champions like Gun Runner, Untapable, and many other graded stakes winners.
In response to a series of heartbreaking breakdowns at Santa Anita Park in 2019, Lambert innovated the StrideSAFE technology—a game-changing wearable sensor that tracks a horse’s movements at high speed, analyzing data to pinpoint potential physical issues before they escalate into catastrophic injuries.
StrideSAFE’s impact has been felt across 11 U.S. racetracks, and this year, every Thoroughbred starter in Kentucky has donned this cutting-edge technology.
Dr. Lambert attributes his groundbreaking success to a new paradigm—a novel model that challenges traditional understanding. Drawing inspiration from Thomas Kuhn’s 1962 book, “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions,” he emphasizes that true innovation arises from shifting paradigms.
Unlike the conventional view that likens horse physiology to that of humans, Lambert’s extensive research reveals that horses share more similarities with kangaroos. This revolutionary understanding has allowed him to reshape how horse performance is analyzed. “It’s a totally different paradigm than what’s generally accepted,” he stated. “If the old paradigm is flawed, the opportunities ahead for young people in this industry are immense.”
Dr. Lambert inspired the students from the university’s equine program, urging them to embrace unconventional thinking and seize the golden opportunities that lay ahead. “For all you young folks entering this world, don’t be intimidated. The established norms may resist change, but if you champion new ideas and validate them, you’ll emerge victorious. The future of the horse business is yours for the taking!”