In his latest column, Charles Hayward highlights the value of the impressive New York program for horses bred in the state – in the spotlight both on the track and at the sales this weekend during his hometown meet
New York’s racing program for state-bred horses is the envy of much of the country, clearly surpassing anything on offer elsewhere in the US – and in that respect a huge weekend is coming up in Saratoga Springs.
Kicking things off on Friday, August 12 will be four New York-bred stakes races at Saratoga Race Course with total purses of $500,000. They are the Evan Shipman Handicap at a mile, the John Morrissey Handicap at six furlongs, the Johnstone Mile Handicap and the Union Avenue Handicap at six furlongs; each race has a purse of $125,000.
After the races, the action moves to Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion for the 2021 New York-bred Annual Awards starting at 7pm. There will be champions crowned in the ten equine divisions including Horse of the Year. Also honored will be broodmare of the year, champion trainer, champion jockey and outstanding breeder.
The action remains at Fasig-Tipton on Saturday as buyers and consignors prep for the New York-bred yearling sale. The Sunday session on August 14 will begin at 7pm, with a Monday session to follow starting at noon.
“The New York-bred yearlings sale annually offers the best of the New York-bred crop, and this year’s catalogue is very strong in terms of sire power and quality individuals,” said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning.
“Over $60 million will be distributed in purse money, incentives, and awards for New York-breds this year. In addition, there are new purse enhancements and incentives for the New York Stallion Stakes Series and New York-sired bonus programs that will go into effect next year. This is a very exciting time to own a New York-bred.”
I said at the outset that the New York program surpasses everywhere else when it comes to state-breds. As such, I think that it is worthwhile to look at total purses for the top ten state-bred programs for state-bred races in 2021 as a meaningful metric.
If you evaluate the states on an average purse basis, California is the only place that comes close to New York in average purse per race. New York has an average purse per race of $65,908, compared to the California average per race of $62,813. – but bear in mind that New York runs almost twice as many state-bred races as California.
The remaining states are by and large, far behind New York in total purses, number of races and average state-bred purse per race.
It is interesting to note that New York-bred races were 30% of all of the races run on the NYRA circuit during 2021. Analyzed by racetrack, the numbers of New York-bred races was fairly consistent.
By meet, 32% of the races run at Aqueduct were for New York-breds, 29% at Belmont and 25% at Saratoga.
Baked into these total purse numbers are three separate New York Showcase Days spread throughout the year. No other racetrack in the US has any program for state-breds resembling this. Here is the 2022 Showcase schedule:
May 30 Belmont Park Six races worth total of $900,000
August 26 Saratoga Six races worth total of $1.25m
October (date tbc) Aqueduct Eight races worth total of $1.2m
There is no question that the New York bred-program is an integral financial part of the NYRA racing program. So far this year, six New York-breds have won graded stakes at NYRA tracks and three of those graded stakes occurred in the first three weeks of the current Saratoga race meet.
Here are some thoughts from Najja Thompson, executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB):
“Being given the opportunity to help lead and help set the course for the New York-bred program working with our board of directors and on behalf of our members is not only a tremendous opportunity but has been a rewarding experience.
One of the common misconceptions regarding New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) is that you have to be an active breeder to become a member. In fact, we accept and extend membership to all persons who are not only directly involved in the breeding industry, but as well anyone interested in supporting and learning more about the New York-bred program.
One of the most effective ways we are doing informational outreach today is through our We Are New York Horse Racing coalition (WANYHR). NYTB as co-founding member alongside NYRA and New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) founded the WANYHR coalition to change common misconceptions and mistruths regarding racing.
Directly informing the public of the positive economic impact the breeding industry and racing brings to the state in jobs, local commerce, protection of green space, and highlighting the great care and post retirement aftercare our equine athletes receive. Instead of being reactive, the coalition allows to be proactive to communicate facts and share positive heartwarming stories of our industry and sport.
Looking ahead, redevelopment of Belmont Park and the consolidation of racing conducted at one world-class facility downstate will be a tremendous boon to the New York-bred program. It will not only ensure investment in the New York-bred program for owners and breeders but has the opportunity to see New York continue to lead the Thoroughbred industry for the foreseeable future.”
Najja mentions that NYTB along with NYTHA and NYRA , was one of the founding members of the ‘We Are New York Horse Racing’ coalition which launched in May 2021. This coalition has grown, and the members have worked diligently to expand its membership beyond Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakeholders to include small businesses, labor unions, non-profits, and trade organizations.
As Najja stated in his column in the October 2021 New York Breeder: “What is at stake is the future vitality and livelihood of our sport and industry. Our work is crucial in educating the general public and legislators in Albany to control the narrative of horse racing and our overall industry in order to continue having the best regional state-bred breeding and racing program in the nation.”
Here is a link to the We Are New York Horse Racing website and a separate two-minute commercial, which is extremely well done. Take a few minutes to view the website and the commercial. I guarantee that it will be worth your time.
Thomas Gallo: current state of play
Thomas Gallo is the president of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders (and a member of the board of directors) and he has provided for us his view of current state of the NYTB:
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the board of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. for the past 27 or 28 years; I lost count. During this time, I’ve seen this organization evolve into what is now the strongest state breeding program in the country.
Through the dedication of our volunteer board members and a tireless support staff, we have made New York-breds not just a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack but a much-sought-after commercial commodity.
This has not happened without constant challenges and growing pains. Currently, the state breeding program landscape is becoming more and more competitive due to a dwindling number of mares vying for participation for state-sanctioned awards in the various and numerous state jurisdictions.
This is no time to rest on our laurels as we must continue to improve the quality of our program. This includes increasing benefits to our breeders who through their loyalty and determination are ultimately breeding the superior NY-bred racehorse by increasing their mare holdings in our state. The numbers must continue to rise to provide quality horses to fill races at the NY racetracks.
My wife and I have dedicated our lives to the NY-bred program with the goal – like so many others in the horse business – of breeding the big horse and we’ve loved every minute of it. Well almost every minute!
It goes without saying that it is a pursuit filled with hopes and dreams as well as pitfalls along the way, but it is well worth the many challenges we face given the beauty and the majesty of these wonderful animals.
One thing continues to ring true: NY-breds do start with an advantage! So get with the program!”
• Visit the We Are NY Horse Racing website
• View all Charles Hayward’s previous articles in his influential View from the Rail series
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