Agriculture & NYS Horse Fund Encourages You to Buy NY-Breds at Morrisville Sale

ALBANY, NY (09/17/2008)(readMedia)-- With the Morrisville College Standardbred Sale set for Sunday, September 21 in Morrisville NY, the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Fund (the Fund) encourages all interested participants to buy a New York-bred yearling at the annual event.

The yearling sale features year-old standardbred horses sold on consignment by the college and is administered by Morrisville State College Equine Department faculty, staff, and students. The Fund promotes the breeding, buying and sale of New York-bred horses.

"When you buy a New York-sired yearling, first and foremost you are buying quality," said Peter Goold, executive director of the Fund. "In New York State, we breed the best horses and when someone purchases a New York-bred horse, it not only benefits the equine industry, but the New York State economy as a whole. The Morrisville sale has a wealth of New York-bred yearlings and is absolutely the place to buy your future New York Sire Stakes star. In addition, you'll be helping to preserve open space and boost the economy in our great state."

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service 2005 Equine Survey (the most recent year available) New York State has seen a significant increase in the number of standardbred horses bred in recent years as well as a remarkable increase in their value. The survey demonstrated that standardbreds' value increased by a whopping 85 percent -- a total value of $222 million.

In addition to the positive economic impacts the equine industry also is a leader in preserving open space. According to the previously referenced survey, there are an estimated 33,000 equine operations in New York State which preserves nearly one-million acres of open space. In Central New York, there are a total of 6,000 equine operations, representing total assets of approximately $8.6 million.

Buying and Racing in New York has many benefits. Among them:

• Breeding is on the rise. The number of standardbreds rose by 47 percent, comprising 34 percent of the state's race horse breeds.
• New York State ranks among the nations largest farming states and agriculture is the state's leading domestic industry. With hundreds of boarding farms to choose from, your New York-bred will be in good hands, no matter where you choose to board. From Madison County to Erie County, from Franklin County to Ulster County and all points in between, New York State gives the Standardbred industry room to grow, improve and prosper.
• With seven pari-mutuel harness tracks throughout the State, 22 county fairs with harness races, and three levels of racing for two- and three-year old New York-breds, the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) offers a racing program for everyone. The program is designed to give horses the opportunity to learn and progress in multiple legs during the racing season while moving toward lucrative finals for the best performers at all levels. Three-tiers of racing, seven tracks, and 22 county fairs means more money-earning opportunities for you!

"Our New York Sire Stakes is the most lucrative state-bred racing program in the United States," said Goold. "In fact, many of the top performers in North America are New York-breds. There is no doubt that New York-breds are your best bet when looking for quality standardbreds with profitable money-earning potential."

Two of the three fastest horses in North America this year are sons of NY-eligible stallion Art Major-- Artistic Fella and Art Official.

The richest two-year-old gelding is NY-bred Donttellmywife (Sire: NY-eligible Malabar Man). Donttellmywife is also the 2008 New York Sire Stakes two-year-old Trotting Colt Champion. The richest two-year-old trotting filly is NY-bred Honorable Daughter (Sire: Malabar Man). The richest two-year-old in harness racing is NY-bred Major In Art, sired by Art Major.

The 2008 New York Sire Stakes season boasted purses of $15 million with $1.4 million finals for its the Night of Champions. 2009 purses are expected to exceed $15 million! Buy your New York-bred this fall!

The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (the Fund) is a public benefit corporation established in 1965 by the Laverne Law (Laws of New York, Chapter 567 of the Laws of 1965). The mission of the Fund is to promote agriculture through advocating the breeding of standardbred horses and the conduct of equine research within the State. To carry out its legislative mission, the Fund administers the New York Sire Stakes Racing Program. Additionally, the Fund provides assistance to county agriculture societies and contributes to the statewide 4-H program and to the Harry M. Zweig Fund for Equine Research.

For more information about the NYSS racing program visit www.nysirestakes.com.

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