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The New York Program

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The Nation's First And Best

The New York Sire Stakes program was the first program of its kind developed in North America and later became the model for state-bred racing programs in nearly all of the major harness racing states and provinces on the continent.

The New York Sire Stakes was inaugurated in 1961 to spur the breeding industry and was created by the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State and the state's harness tracks, which pledged money to the events.  They also worked tirelessly to procure state support for these races.

The group, led by Dr. Harry M. Zweig, was finally successful when the LaVerne Law was enacted in 1965.  That legislation created the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, which collects a portion of handle to redistribute to state-bred horses through the New York Sire Stakes program.

The New York harness racing industry banded together once again in 2001 to advance the sport of harness racing in the state, with Bruce Hamilton carrying the banner this time and supported by many behind-the-scenes workers.  After a long and hard campaign in the legislature and a national disaster centered in New York City, the law allowing video lottery terminals (VLTs) at the state's racetracks was passed.

Following a revision to that law in 2003, the plan to grow purses at the harness tracks and supplement the New York Sire Stakes program was put into action and the first VLT facility opened in January 2004.

A Fit For Every Horse

The New York Sire Stakes offers a three-tiered program for 2 and 3-year-old horses of all racing abilities.  It also provides horses with the opportunity to learn and grow in multiple legs during the racing season while moving toward lucrative finals for the best performers at all three levels.

The SIRE STAKES allow the most talented horses to shine in the "Big Leagues" of New York-bred racing.  Starting fees are two percent of the purse.  The top horses in each of the eight divisions, by means of accumulated points, then compete in the $150,000 championships at the end of the season.

The STATE FAIR races supplement the Sire Stakes and are held for 3 year olds at Goshen's half-mile Historic Track and for 2 and 3 year olds at Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY.  State Fair events do not count toward points for the Sire Stakes finals.  Starting fees are two percent of the purse.

The LATE CLOSER series for each division provides an opportunity for horses that still need time to develop at a slightly less competitive level-earning money while they go.  After the second Sire Stakes leg those 3 year olds that are non-winners of $20,000 lifetime and those 2 year olds that are non-winners of $7,500 are eligible to the Late Closers.  Starting fees are $100.  The top point earners from each of the eight divisions are invited to the $25,000 finals.

The COUNTY FAIR program provides racing opportunities for young horses to "earn as they learn."  A total of 22 county fairs across the state will host events for each of four age and gait divisions.  Starting fees are $50.  The top series point earners are eligible to compete in the finals held at pari-mutuel tracks.

Points for the Sire Stakes, Late Closers and County Fairs are distributed based on the official order of finish:  First=50 points, Second=25 points, Third=12 points, Fourth=8 points, Fifth=5 points.  The Sire Stakes conditions stipulate that the top eight point earners who have started in at least three legs will receive preference for entry in the final.

Determining Elgibility

Yearlings

Yearlings sired by an eligible New York stallion registered with the Fund  for the full season of service in the year in which the dam was bred, are eligible to nominate to the New York Sire Stakes program.

Foals of mares bred by semen transported inside New York State are eligible for nomination, but foals of mares bred by semen transported outside New York State are not eligible for nomination.

Only the first foal born to the dam in a given year will be eligible for nomination.  The only exception to this will be in the case of same-birth twins; to be eligible, a twin status must be indicated on the USTA registration certificate for the individuals in question.

Yearlings must be named and registered with the U.S. Trotting Association at the time of nomination (May 15) and a copy of the registration certificate must accompany the nomination.

Stallions

To be eligible a stallion must be registered with the Fund  for the breeding year.  The cost of registration is 25% of the stud fee (maximum $5,000) or $200 for those stallions standing for $1,000 or less.  The Fund requests that returning stallions register by December 1 of the year preceding the breeding year in question.  The last date to register a stallion is January 1 of the breeding year in question.  Stallions which have never stood in the state before may be registered up until April 1 by way of a late fee payment.

To be registered with the Fund the stallion must stand the entire stud season in New York and be: owned by a resident of New York State; owned by a resident of a state other than New York but leased for a period of not less than 10 years to a resident of New York State; owned by a resident(s) of a state other than New York together with a resident(s) of New York State and leased for a period of not less than 10 years to a resident of New York State; or owned by a syndicate, which if partly consisting of non-New York residents must lease the stallion to a New York resident for a period of not less than 10 years.  Stallions may be leased to the New York farm where they will be standing to qualify for the "leased to a New York resident" requirement.  All leases must be filed with the Fund at the time of registration.

Stallions enrolled for the designated breeding season must be standing for stud service on the designated farm not later than January 1.  Enrolled stallions shall not be removed from the designated farm during the year (except in the case of medical emergency).  Exceptions may be made through special permission of the Fund for stallions to race during the breeding season, to move from their designated farm to another farm in New York, or to stand dual hemisphere service.  Please contact the Fund for the rules governing these exceptions, providing plenty of advance notice for the stallion to be granted permission before leaving from the farm.

Foals produced by semen transported and inseminated in mares outside New York State will not be eligible for nomination in the New York Sire Stakes program.

Breeders' Awards Program

 Please click here for information about the new Breeders' Awards Program. 

Important Dates To Remember

January 1

Final date for stallion enrollment.  Registered stallions must be in the state and on their designated farms by this date.

February 15

Breeding season officially begins.

Continuation payments for New York Sire Stakes pari-mutuel events due to the Breeding Fund. (2-year-old payment must be made to race as a 3-year-old.)

Nominations for New York State Fair and County Fairs due to the Breeding Fund.

April 1

Last date to register a stallion that has never stood in New York before for the breeding season by way of the late fee.

April 15

Final sustaining payments for New York Sire Stakes pari-mutuel events due to the Breeding Fund.

Final sustaining payments for New York State Fair and County Fairs due to the Breeding Fund.

May 15

Yearling nominations for the New York Sire Stakes due to the Breeding Fund.

July 31

Forms for mares bred by transported semen due to Breeding Fund.

September 1

List of mares bred filed by stallion owner due to Breeding Fund.

December 1

Requested date of registration for returning stallions and new stallions.




 

  
Agriculture and NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund -- 90 State St., Suite 809, Albany NY 12207
tel: 518.436.8713 -- fax: 518.426.1490 -- agfund@nysirestakes.com