NYTB Legislative Update: 2025 NY State Budget Recap

[1]Following weeks of protracted budget negotiations, the Legislature and Executive reached an agreement that led to the final bills being printed early in the morning on Saturday, April 20, and voting was finished later that afternoon. As a result, the New York State Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget was finalized totaling $237 billion.

Our aim is always to protect and grow New York breeding and racing. There is a perpetual need for advocacy for our sport and industry which we hope you can help contribute towards.

NYTB and our legislative affairs team in Albany continue to work on your behalf to ensure New York’s thoroughbred breeding program and racing industry continue to be the best in the nation. Below, please find updates from the 2025 state budget regarding New York’s horse racing and the thoroughbred breeding industry. These developments are in addition to accomplishments in recent years made possible from support by NYTB members such as:

A state-backed loan for the redevelopment of a new and improved Belmont Park.
Increased Breeder Awards offering up to 40 percent for New York Sired progeny and 20 percent for Non-NY-Sired progeny.
Annual Fund Caps legislation that allows the Breeding Fund to payout program awards as advertised.

Groundbreaking anti-slaughter legislation with the support of the entire racing industry.
Continuing to prevent legislation that would impose sales tax on the sale on the purchase of thoroughbreds sold at auction in New York.
Protecting of Racing support payments made from Video-Lottery Terminal revenue from Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct racetrack which ensures increased purse levels in New York and the overall increase in value of stallions standing in New York.

We are thankful and appreciate the support of Governor Kathy Hochul, Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-15), chair of the New York Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, Assemblymember Gary Pretlow, Jr. (D-89), chair of the State Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, and all members of the New York Senate and State Assembly who continue to recognize the importance of horse racing to the New York State economy.

It is clear that New York farms, breeders, and all stakeholders in our program depend on the policymakers in our State Capitol. This year is especially important as all New York State legislators are up for election this coming November, and those who are aligned with our priorities and help us achieve our policy goals are looking to the NYTB PAC for our support. Our PAC can only be successful if it receives support from members like you.

Personal donations to the NYTB PAC can be made payable to the NYTB PAC online here and mailed to:

NYTB PAC
P.O. BOX 5120
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. 12866

NYTB will continue our work on your behalf and appreciates your support in these efforts.

Regards,

Najja Thompson
Executive Director

New York Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget Thoroughbred Breeding Industry & Horse Racing Updates

EXTEND USE OF CAPITAL FUNDS BY OFF-TRACK BETTING CORPORATIONS

If certain conditions are met, Capital OTB is authorized to use $1 million in Fiscal Year 2025, and Catskill is authorized to use up to $2.5 million towards:

Expenditures necessary to accept authorized wagers;
Past due obligations, including funds owed to: New York licensed or franchised racing corporations or associations, other racing associations or organizations for the costs of acquiring a simulcast signal,the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund Corporation, the agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund, or the Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for equine research.

EXTEND PARI-MUTUEL TAX RATES AND SIMULCAST PROVISIONS FOR ONE YEAR

EXTEND NEW YORK JOCKEY INJURY COMPENSATION FUND, INC. AUTHORITY THROUGH 2027

BELMONT AT SARATOGA MEET
Extend certain licensing flexibilities for the Belmont Festival to apply while conducted at Saratoga Race Course (through December 31, 2026).

*Contributions to the NYTB PAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Total contributions from a corporation or LLC may not exceed $5,000 per calendar year in the aggregate to all New York state and local candidates and committees. Any LLC that contributes will be required to provide the NYTB PAC with details regarding the LLC’S members and their ownership interests. It is strictly prohibited to reimburse another individual’s or entity’s contribution. All contributors must be either US citizens or permanent resident aliens (green card holders).

Endnotes:

[Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NYTB-Logo-Lg2.jpg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/04/23/nytb-legislative-update-2025-ny-state-budget-recap/

NYRA expands Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours for 2024 Season

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Photo courtesy Old Tavern Farm

(Press Release courtesy of NYRA)

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is expanding the highly popular Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tour program this summer with the addition of a third participant, Sugar Plum Farm, to complement incumbents Old Tavern Farm and Song Hill Thoroughbreds.

Thanks to overwhelming interest from fans, Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours will now be offered Wednesday through most Saturdays, plus select Sundays, beginning Friday, July 12 through Saturday, August 31.

Tickets are $95 for adults and $35 for children 12 years of age and under and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at NYRA.com. Each tour accommodates up to 52 guests.

Tours will be available weekly as follows: Wednesdays and Thursdays at Song Hill Thoroughbreds, 290 County Road 75 in Mechanicville; Fridays at Old Tavern Farm, 45 Brown Road in Stillwater; and, new this year, six Saturdays and two Sundays at Sugar Plum Farm, 96 Gilbert Road in Saratoga Springs.

The all-inclusive experience begins with a buffet-style breakfast at Saratoga Race Course from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. against the backdrop of world-class thoroughbreds during morning training. At 9:45 a.m., fans board a CDTA trolley at the Clubhouse entrance for a short ride to the day’s breeding farm. Upon arrival, fans will enjoy a 60-minute guided tour with the farm’s owners and expert staff before returning to the track for an afternoon of live racing.

“Thanks to our friends at NYRA and CDTA, the Saratoga Breakfast and Breeding Farm tours have quickly become an important part of the complete Saratoga experience for racing fans and newcomers to the sport alike,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “These tours showcase the importance of the New York State breeding industry, and also demonstrate the care, dedication and passion that breeders bring to their craft. Each of these three farms embodies the spirit of New York’s thoroughbred breeding community.”

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War Dancer meets one of his sons at Sugar Plum Farm in Saratoga Springs. Barbara Livingston photo

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Photo courtesy of Song Hill Thoroughbreds

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to be involved with NYRA’s breeding farm tours. They give us a chance to meet new people and introduce them to another facet of the thoroughbred world,” said Robin Malatino, Sugar Plum Farm Owner and Breeder. “Everyone loves to see where a racing career begins and following a tour, people leave with a greater appreciation and a more holistic understanding of the thoroughbred industry.”

Located just minutes from Saratoga Race Course, owners Robin and Tony Malatino have operated Sugar Plum Farm since 2005. More information is available at sugarplumfarmsaratoga.com.

Song Hill Thoroughbreds, owned by Jim and Tina Bond, was established in Mechanicville in 2005. Song Hill joined the Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tours in 2023. More information about the expansive 100-acre horse farm can be found at jamesbondracing.com/song-hill-thoroughbreds.

Old Tavern Farm is a private boutique thoroughbred-breeding operation in nearby Stillwater that was founded in 2016 by Walt and Michelle Borisenok. The farm helped launch the Breakfast and Breeding Farm program in 2022. More information is available at oldtavernfarms.com.

Highlighted by the 155th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on August 24 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 3, the annual 40-day summer meet will open Thursday, July 11 and continue through Monday, September 2.

Following the four-day opening week, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from closing week, when the 2024 summer meet will conclude on Labor Day.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

Endnotes:

[Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Alpine-Sky-photo-courtesy-of-Old-Tavern-Farm.jpeg
[Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WarDancerSon.jpg
[Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/song_hill-e1713884435842.jpeg

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/04/23/nyra-expands-saratoga-breakfast-and-breeding-farm-tours-for-2024-season/