New York Sire Stakes Announces Breeders Awards for 2008 Race Season

ALBANY, NY (04/02/2008)(readMedia)-- The trustees of the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (the Fund), which administers the New York State Sire Stakes, today announced they have instituted Breeders’ Awards for the 2008 racing season.

The Breeders’ Awards program has been instituted to promote agriculture through the breeding of standardbred horses in New York State. The Breeders’ Awards will be given at all levels of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) harness racing. The program will commence during the 2008 racing season, which starts in June.

The Fund estimates that as much as one million dollars will be available to fund the 2008 Breeders’ Awards program. Breeders’ Awards funds are derived from the betting handle at the State’s harness tracks and Off Track Betting parlors. The Fund receives a percentage of the total betting handle to administer the NYSS program.

Daniel D. Hogan, chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board and chairman of the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund said, “New York State has a rich history in horse racing, which has always made it a desirable racing state. With the return of the Breeders’ Awards for the New York Sire Stakes, we hope to turn the spotlight on New York State as a desirable place to breed standardbreds as well.”

Eligible recipients of a Breeders’ Award are individuals who have bred a winning horse racing in the NYSS program. Only the first breeder of record listed with the Fund is eligible to receive an award, in cases where multiple breeders are listed. Additionally, the competing horse must have been nominated to the New York Sire Stakes as a yearling.

Peter Goold, executive director of the Fund said, “Agriculture is one of New York State’s leading domestic products and with a vast amount of open space and farmland, the state is an excellent choice for horse breeding. Our Breeders’ Awards program is just one more reason to breed standardbreds in New York State.”

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 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 races, State Fair Series races, Late Closers Series events, and County Fair Races. 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, visit www.nysirestakes.com or call 518-436-8713.

###