Ponies, Politics, People: Howard Nolan Remembered

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The late Senator Howard Nolan, at the 2015 New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Holiday Party, left his mark on the Empire State’s racing and breeding programs. Skip Dickstein Photo.

By Tracy Egan

Former New York State Senator Howard Nolan passed away in Florida on June 16, 2023 with his loving wife Shannon by his side. The news of his passing has affected people in all walks of life. From the people he represented in the State Senate to the friends he served with on the board of the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund and, before that, as president of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.

One of the accomplishments Senator Nolan was most proud of was his launching of a program in 1983 with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at the Wallkill Correctional Facility that teamed up ex-racehorses with incarcerated men and women.

Many graduates of the program have been able to find employment in the horse industry thanks to the months or years of education they received via the TRF Second Chances program.

The legacy of the program he helped create is now helping horses and humans at correctional facilities in seven states, from New York to Florida and California.

“Howard’s positive influence spread across many lives, from the New York horse breeders to incarcerated people via the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at Wallkill Prison and beyond who got a second chance,” said Bill Wilmot, DVM, a member of the Fund board. “Always positive and thinking of others. That’s how I think of my mentor and friend, Howard Nolan.”

Board member Joe McMahon remembered sharing van driving duties years ago with Senator Nolan when they decided Florida might be a good marketplace for their registered New York-breds.

“Over his 50-year involvement in the Thoroughbred horse industry, Howard was an owner, breeder, stallion owner, farm owner, past president of New York Thoroughbred Breeders and a board member of the New York State Breeding and Development Fund, as well as a keen political advisor,” McMahon said. “He was a mentor and personal friend to me and my family. We will all miss him terribly.”

Najja Thompson, executive director of NYTB, Inc. and a member of the Fund board, noted that “Senator Nolan was an influential and integral figure in helping to lead the New York-bred program to the success it has had today. On behalf of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., we will be forever thankful for his support of New York breeders and we send his family our sincere condolences.”

Fund Board Member John Hicks credited his late friend with introducing him to racehorse ownership and breeding.

“I have known Howard for almost 50 years,” Hicks said. “He was instrumental in introducing me, along with many others into the horse business and was a wonderful mentor. He cared about all aspects of the horse business and dedicated much of his time to the New York racing and breeding program. I considered him a close friend and he will be sorely missed by many.”

Nolan served his Albany-centric Senate district from 1974 to 1994, and served on the Fund Board for 18 years, from 2002 through 2020. During his term he frequently asked what measures would help his constituency of breeders to produce more competitive horses and what steps the board might take to help those breeders stay in business.

Nolan’s friends will miss the sight of him sitting in his box at Saratoga Race Course and his enthusiasm for the sport that so frequently finds itself the focus of critics. Industry supporters would do well to honor his memory by pushing for positive change while enthusiastically encouraging a love for the sport, its horses and all the people who make it possible.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen St., Albany. Visitation will be from 4- 7 p.m. Sunday.

 

Click here[2] for Senator Nolan’s obituary.

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/HowardNolan.jpeg
  2. here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion-albany/name/howard-nolan-obituary?id=52287497

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2023/06/22/ponies-politics-people-howard-nolan-remembered/

NYRA announces significant purse increases for New York-breds at Saratoga

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New York-breds will run for significantly higher purses this summer at Saratoga Race Course. NYRA Photo.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. today announced a new series of purse increases for registered New York-bred horses competing in open company at the upcoming Saratoga Race Course meeting that runs from July 13 to September 4.

“NYRA is committed to supporting and enhancing the New York-bred program now and in the future,” said Frank Gabriel, NYRA senior vice president of racing operations. “These purse increases reflect the sustained growth of the New York-bred marketplace while also rewarding owners already invested in the program.”

The purse for registered New York-breds running in select open-company races will be 30 percent higher than the purse offered for non-New York-breds. Additionally, New York State Breeding Fund Owner Awards (NYSBFOA) and breeder awards will be paid on top of the 30 percent additional purse for registered New York-breds.

“The opportunity for registered New York-breds to compete for elevated purses in select open company conditions during the Saratoga meet, along with increases in breeder and open company awards provided by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund reflect the commitment by New York’s respective thoroughbred racing stakeholders in continuing to elevate the New York-bred program,” said Najja Thompson, executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “We are confident much of the money earned from these purse increases will be reinvested in New York-breds, starting with the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Select Yearlings Sale in August at Saratoga.”

In open maiden special weight races, New York-breds will run for a purse of $136,500 [with up to $23,751 NYSBFOA], while non-New York-breds will compete for a purse of $105,000.

Similarly, in allowance levels, open first-level allowances will offer a New York-bred purse of $149,500 [up to $26,013 NYSBFOA] and a non-New York-bred purse of $115,000; open second-level allowances offering a New York-bred purse of $156,000 [up to $27,144 NYSBFOA] and a non-New York-bred purse of $120,000; and third-level open allowances offering New York-breds $162,500 [up to $28,275 NYSBFOA] and a non-New York-bred purse of $125,000.

“These purse bonuses directly benefit owners of New York-breds by incentivizing them to compete in our open company program,” said Joe Appelbaum, president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Inc. “New York-breds have routinely competed and won at all levels throughout the nation. This program provides owners and trainers a real dollars and cents reason to leave the restricted New York-bred program. The benefits will accrue to not only the connections but to field size, handle and ultimately back to the purse account.”

The following chart reflects various examples and scenarios based on a scheduled 2023 Saratoga Maiden Special Weight Race. Please note the difference in purse money and awards available to owners and breeders of New York-breds compared to Non-New York-breds or unregistered New York-breds.

*Please note only first through third-place finishers qualify for NYSBFOA Open Owner and Breeder awards. For more information on New York-bred program award rates and distribution please click here[2].

Maiden Special Weight (MSW):

Example Scenario Purse Finish Purse Payout NYSBFOA Award* Breeder Award*
1 Registered New York-Sired NYB    $136,500   1st         $75,075         $15,015.00         $22,522.50
2 Registered Non-New York-Sired NYB    $136,500   1st         $75,075         $7,507.50         $11,261.25
3 Non-NYB or Unregistered NYB    $105,000   1st         $57,750              $0.00             $0.00
             
4 Registered New York-Sired NYB     $136,500   3rd         $16,380         $3,276.00         $2,457.00
5 Registered Non-New York-Sired NYB     $136,500   3rd         $16,380         $1,638.00         $1,228.50
6 Non-NYB or Unregistered NYB     $105,000   3rd         $12,600             $0.00             $0.00

 

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Saratoga-Scenic.jpg
  2. here: https://www.nytbreeders.org/breeding/incentives.cfm

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2023/06/22/nyra-announces-significant-purse-increases-for-new-york-breds-at-saratoga/

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