SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) in conjunction with the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Inc. (NYTHA) and the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund (The Fund) today announced a lucrative new purse enhancement for owners of New York Stallion-sired New York-breds competing on the NYRA circuit.
Effective immediately, the ‘New York-Sired Bonus’ will provide an additional $5,000 to the winning owner of a New York-sired New York-bred who finishes first in all open company and New York-bred restricted maiden special weight, allowance, and allowance optional claiming races. The bonus does not apply to horses entered for a claiming tag.
“This agreement, coupled with the updated residency requirements for mares, ensures the best incentives and opportunities for all who participate in the New York-bred program,” said Najja Thompson, NYTB Executive Director. “As we enter the heart of the racing season, there is no better time to get involved in the New York-bred program.”
The New York-Sired Bonus program is funded through the NYRA Purse Account and will be awarded retroactively for qualifying winners dating back to November 18, 2021. NYRA will begin processing and paying out retroactive awards in the coming weeks. Moving forward, bonus payments will be made in the month following the qualifying win.
“The marketplace for New York-breds is extremely strong, and NYRA is pleased to support initiatives designed to fuel the continued growth of the breeding industry throughout New York,” said Dave O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “Beyond their continued success on the racetrack, the New York-bred program generates jobs and positive economic impact in every corner of the state.”
Designed to further incentivize participation in the growing New York-bred program, the New York-sired bonus will remain in place at all subsequent NYRA race meets. The bonus aligns with the residency rules concerning mares purchased at public auction established by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund in 2020.
For a complete description of the New York-bred program mare residency rules, click here.
NYRA offers some of the richest overnight purses of any jurisdiction in the country, with open maiden special weight races at $90,000; New York-bred maiden special weight races at $75,000; New York-bred non-winners of two at $85,000 and New York-bred non-winners of one at $80,000.
“This bonus is an innovative way to incentivize owners of New York-Sired horses to race at our NYRA tracks, said Joe Appelbaum, NYTHA President. “Moreover, it strengthens New York’s thoroughbred ecosystem by rewarding those who purchase New York-Sired horses with the ambition to compete in both our state-bred and open conditions. We are happy to work with NYTB, NYRA, and the Fund to get this accomplished.”
“The New York-Sired bonus is a result of working with our partners and fellow stakeholders in New York racing and the New York-bred program,” said Tracy Egan, Executive Director of the Fund. “The bonus will have a direct benefit to participants in the New York breeding and racing programs starting with owners of New York-sired horses.”
