Jane Schosberg with her late husband Paul and their beloved corgis. Schosberg Family Photo.

A stalwart of New York’s racing and breeding programs, Jane Mindlin Schosberg died peacefully on March 15, surrounded by her family. She was 85 years old.

Schosberg grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y. and attended Scarsdale High School, where she met Paul Schosberg, her high-school sweetheart. After attending Bennington College and earning a liberal arts degree, Jane married Paul in 1959. Their daughter Jill was born in 1960, their son Richard a year later.

Paul’s career in politics took the couple to Northern Virginia and Washington D.C., where Paul worked as chief of staff to two members of the House of Representatives. Jane had grown up riding horses, and it was in Virginia that she and family began the racing and breeding operation that continued to her death, and where the Schosberg family bought their first farm.

Jane gave riding lessons at Deerfield Riding Academy in Great Falls, VA, while her daughter Jill became an accomplished show rider and her son Rick, in his words, “mucked out stalls as fast as I could.”

“One day, Mom and I were out riding in Virginia,” remembered Rick. “She was riding her Thoroughbred mare Dot in Spot, who became our foundation broodmare. I was riding a little Arab Welsh cross named My Fair Lady, and she was anything but. There was a pond in the middle of the field, and Mom told me to gallop through the pond.

“My Fair Lady decided that she liked being in the pond, and my mom turned around and yelled, ‘Kick kick kick! She’s going to roll on top of you!’

“I was too stupid to get off, and of course the horse knelt down and rolled on me. Once mom realized I was OK and breathing, she started laughing and made me get back on and do it the right way.”

In 1974, the Schosbergs purchased Pine Lane Farm near Katonah when they relocated to New York from Virginia, and Dot in Spot came with them.

Dot in Spot produced four foals, bred in Jane’s name, all bred in New York. The best of them, Lotus Delight, was multiple stakes-placed and earned $243,000, retiring in 1988. One of her daughters, Tim’s Lady, produced Mellow Roll, who earned more than half a million dollars and was voted New York-bred Champion Two-Year-Old Male in 1997.

Jane also bred Cyanea, the 1982 New York-bred champion two-year-old filly, and a winner and a runner-up of the New York Breeders Futurity, Bix in 1982 and Tons in 1977 respectively.

She often visited Kentucky and was a regular at the Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales, developing strong relationships with Denali Stud, Ashford Stud, and Coolmore America. She had a strong friend network in the Bluegrass, and though she was pretty much a lifelong New Yorker, she was an ardent fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

Jane Schosberg was predeceased by her husband Paul in 2017 and her daughter Jill Stoller in 2021. She is survived by her son Richard and her daughter-in-law Dawn; her sister Katherine Reinleitner; her son-in-law Timothy Stoller; grandsons Travis and Ryan; granddaughter Jenna Stoller Grimshaw and her husband Sean; and two great-grandchildren Bryce and Nora.

She is also survived by Waffles, her beloved Corgi, who now lives with Jane’s best friend Donna Klemas in Canada. Rescued from Lexington, KY, Waffles hitched a ride on a Morrisey’s horse van to become Jane’s constant companion.

Services will be private. Those wishing to honor Jane’s life and legacy are encouraged to donate to the Mayo Clinic, to Take2/Take The Lead, or to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. is pleased to announce this year’s New York-bred Divisional Championship Awards of 2024 scheduled for 6:30-9 p.m. on Monday, May 19 at Sacred Saratoga on the property of GMP Farm Equine Rehabilitation and Therapy in Schuylerville, NY will also feature a special award for New York Farm Manager of the Year.

This award, to be chosen from the nominated candidates and voted by the board of directors of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. is in recognition of an individual in a managerial or supervisory role at a New York Thoroughbred-based farm.

This person should display exceptional leadership qualities, particularly in motivating, mentoring, and supporting colleagues day-to-day. This individual should show consistency, reliability, and a talent for Thoroughbred breeding horsemanship and is a pivotal part of the Thoroughbred farm’s success.

Please complete the form located here to submit a nomination for 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year. All nomination applications must be submitted by March 31, 2025 and can be returned to NYTB via e-mail at info@nytbreeders.org or mail at NYTB, Inc. P.O. Box 5120 Saratoga Springs, NY.

If you have any questions regarding the application process for the 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year, please contact NYTB at 518.587.0777 or email at info@nytbreeders.org.

Tickets for the NYTB Awards Dinner, where the 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year will be awarded in addition to New York Divisional Championship nominees, Broodmare of the Year, Champion Trainer, Champion Jockey, and Outstanding Breeder, are available for purchase while supplies last. Tickets are $150 for NYTB members and $175 for non-members by visiting nytbreeders.org/events. Tables of 10 are also available for $1,350 for NYTB members.

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. is pleased to announce the nominees for the New York-bred Divisional Awards of 2024. A panel of New York Turf writers, broadcasters, handicappers, racing analysts and photographers will vote to decide the winners of each division and the 2024 New York-bred Horse of the Year.

The 2024 New York-bred divisional champions, New York-bred Horse of the Year, a special lifetime achievement award and other honors will be announced at the NYTB Awards Dinner sponsored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, May 19 at Sacred Saratoga on the property of GMP Farm Equine Rehabilitation and Therapy in Schuylerville. The awards ceremony includes a cocktail hour, silent auction and plated dinner.

“The New York-bred Divisional Awards honor the very best in New York breeding and racing. This year’s nominees are no exception,” said NYTB President Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, D.V.M. “We look forward to welcoming the connections of each nominee and our program participants. As an organization, we have worked to expand this year’s award categories, including an award for New York Farm Manager of the Year to celebrate every facet of breeding and racing. We look forward to a special evening.”

New York riding legend and NYRA TV personality Richard Migliore will again host the Awards Dinner. Tickets are available – $150 for NYTB Members and $175 for non-members – for purchase at nytbreeders.org/events. Tables of 10 are also available for $1,350 for NYTB members.

“On behalf of the New York State Gaming Commission and Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund we are proud to once again work with NYTB in celebrating the connections of each nominee and all participants in the New York-bred program at this year’s New York-bred Divisional Awards,” said Brian O’Dwyer, chairman of the New York State Gaming Commission and New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund. “The annual awards ceremony is very special because it embodies our collective mission to support and recognize the very best in New York breeding and racing.”

Also to be honored at the Awards Dinner with 2024 awards will be Broodmare of the Year, Champion Trainer, Champion Jockey and Outstanding Breeder. New awards for this year include New York Sire of the Year and New York Farm Manager of the Year. Applications for submission for the New York Farm Employee of the Year are available here.

“Each of this year’s nominees reflects the continued quality of racehorses bring bred and foaled in New York. We look forward to hosting and welcoming everyone to a wonderful evening in celebration of the New York-bred program,” said NYTB Executive Director Najja Thompson.

The 2024 New York-bred divisional championship nominees by category:
2-Year-Old Male: Bold Fortune, Jack and Jim, Mi Bago, Mo Plex, Sacrosanct.
2-Year-Old Filly: Accelerating, Scythian, Shoot It True, Stone Smuggler, With the Angels.
3-Year-Old Male: Antonio of Venice, Doc Sullivan, Pandagate, Tapalo, The Big Torpedo.
3-Year-Old Filly: Kinza, Landed, My Mane Squeeze, Roanan Goddess, Sweet Brown Sugar.
Older Dirt Male: Bank Frenzy, Light Man, Maker’s Candy, Mama’s Gold, Rotknee.
Older Dirt Female: Kant Hurry Love, Silver Skillet, Sterling Silver, Stonewall Star, Venti Valentine.
Turf Male: Dakota Gold, Dancing Buck, Senbei, Spirit of St Louis, Works for Me.
Turf Female: Caldwell Luvs Gold, Loon Cry, Moonage Daydream, Scythian, Silver Skillet.
Male Sprinter: Dancing Buck, Light Man, Rotknee, Senbei, Tapalo.
Female Sprinter: Kant Hurry Love, Loon Cry, My Mane Squeeze, Sterling Silver, Tricky Temper.

Dear Members:

All new and renewed 2025 NYTB members will be eligible for a special advance ticket presale for this year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to be held Wednesday, June 4 – Sunday, June 8, at Saratoga Race Course!

The NYTB member Presale will take place Tuesday, February 11 through Wednesday, February 12.

• NYTB members are eligible to receive a 50 percent discount towards general admission for Belmont Stakes Day, June 7.A two (2) ticket maximum purchase per NYTB member (fees apply). This offer will be accessible here and unlocked with your registered NYTB email address.
• NYTB members will be selected via a random draw for the opportunity to purchase reserved seating and select premium hospitality during this exclusive presale based on available inventory. Inventory is extremely limited. Members who are selected through the random draw will be contacted via email with details and a direct link to purchase.

Please note all eligible NYTB discount ticket purchases will be verified.

To join or renew your NYTB membership for 2025, to take advantage of these offers, please visit nytbreeders.org/membership.

If you have any questions regarding this year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival NYTB member discounts, please contact the NYTB membership services team at (518) 587- 0777. Monday – Friday 10 am. – 4 pm.

We hope you enjoy these  NYTB membership benefits and hope to see you at this year’s  2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course!

New York State Gaming Commission named seven individuals from Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing to its aftercare advisory council Thursday. Coglianese Photo.

New York State Gaming Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer announced members of an advisory board to assist directing contributions from New York’s Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding funds to responsible racehorse aftercare organizations.

“These dedicated individuals recognize the importance of making sure racehorses have viable options after they leave the track,” said O’Dwyer. “Their collective expertise will undoubtedly help the cause, and I thank each member for volunteering their time to promote responsible aftercare.”

The commission selected the following individuals to serve on the aftercare funding advisory committee:

• Joseph Battaglia, of Mechanicville
• Lois Engel, of Lattingtown
• Bill Ketzer, of Delmar
• Robin Malatino, of Saratoga Springs
• Lisa Malloy, of East Greenbush
• Liz O’Connell, of Troy
• Rick Schosberg, of Muttontown

New Yorkers may make contributions on personal and/or corporate state income tax returns to funding the operation of retired racehorse aftercare facilities via the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund and/or the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (for Standardbreds). In addition, any fines collected for violations of New York State law prohibiting the slaughter of racehorses and racehorse breeding stock (Section 382 of the Agriculture & Markets Law) are remitted to the respective funds to be spent solely for the purpose of the care of retired racehorses.

The funds will then distribute the funds to organizations, with consideration as to whether the group is an accredited horse retirement and rescue program.

To learn more about the commission’s commitment to responsible horse breeding and aftercare, click here.

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders’ Inc. is pleased to announce the return of its annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 13 at the Canfield Casino National Museum in Saratoga Springs, NY from 7-10 p.m. ET.

The evening will feature exquisite hors d’oeuvres, chef-attended dinner stations, an open bar, and musical performances from local Saratoga Springs cover band The Wallies.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting nytbreeders.org/events and are $125 for NYTB members and $150 for non-members.

“Our annual holiday party is a yearly tradition for NYTB members and New York-bred program participants to get together to ahead of the holidays and breeding season,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.  “This year’s party, which will be held at the Canfield Casino, will be even more special in welcoming our guests to a historic and extravagant location for a festive party.”

Please note that the holiday party is a sellout event! You must RSVP by purchasing tickets directly at nytbreeder.org/events or calling the NYTB office at 518.587.0777.

Mary and Chester Broman in the winner’s circle at Saratoga Race Course. Mary Broman passed away last week at the age of 88. Susie Raisher/NYRA Photo.

Mary Rachel Broman, who with her husband Chester established one of New York’s leading breeding and racing operations, passed away October 16 at the age of 88.

Born April 13, 1936, and a resident of Babylon Village, New York, and Wellington, Florida, was devoted wife of Chester Sr., beloved mother of Chester Jr. and his wife Holly, son Christopher and his wife Tamera and the late Rachel Broman. Cherished grandmother of Sarah, Nicholas, Brandon and Hannah, and dear sister of Roseanne McWilliams and Paula Hoey.

The Bromans own and operate Chestertown Farm in the tiny community of the same name in the heart of New York’s Adirondack Mountains. The couple were honored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. with the state’s Breeder of the Year title eight times, the most recent crown in 2022.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs. Broman,” said Najja Thompson, executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “In addition to her tremendous accomplishments in the New York-bred program alongside her husband Chester, she was also a warm and welcome presence. We express our deepest condolences to Chester and the entire Broman family.”

The Bromans sit well atop the state’s list of leading breeders for 2024 with purse earnings of $2,256,979 through October 14, along with 42 wins from 227 starts. Stakes winners in 2024 bred by the Bromans include Bank Frenzy (Evan Shipman Handicap), Spirit of St Louis (Hudson Valley Stakes, Kingston Stakes, Danger’s Hour Stakes) and Sweet Brown Sugar (Niagara Stakes, East View Stakes).

“Mrs. Broman will be missed by the entire New York breeding and racing community,” said Jeffrey Cannizzo, vice president of government affairs for the New York Racing Association and former executive director of the NYTB. “She was a personal friend and I sincerely enjoyed all our time spent together.  I’d like to extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to Chester and the Broman family.”

“We are so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing,” said New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Tina Bond. “She and Chester have been pillars of the New York breeding industry for so many years, and they set a standard of excellence that we all strive to meet. Mary was very much a partner in the Chestertown operations, and she was also a classy and lovely woman. Her passing is a real loss to our community.”

Chester and Mary Broman, at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, collected eight Breeder of the Year titles from the NYTB. Susie Raisher/NYRA Photo.

The Bromans also led the state’s breeders list in 2023 with New York-bred earnings of $3,243,042. Hejazi, a finalist for champion 2-year-old male honors in 2022, earned the 3-year-old championship in 2023 and the Bromans also bred 2023 champion older female New York-bred Classy Edition. Spirit of St Louis also earned finalist consideration for champion male turf honors in 2023.

The Bromans racked up New York-bred earnings of $3,157,109 in 2022, nearly $1 million more than the state’s next closest breeder. Leading runners that season included New York-bred champion 2-year-old male Acoustic Ave, who raced in their familiar green and white silks. The Bromans also bred and sold Hejazi, a son of Bernardini who brought $3.55 million at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-olds in training sale.

Hejazi and Classy Edition were the 11th and 12th New York-bred champions bred by the Bromans since 2000. The group also includes 2017 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Bar of Gold and Grade 1 winners Artemis Agrotera and Friends Lake and $1,403,536-earner and multiple stakes winner Mr. Buff. Bar of Gold, who retired with earnings of more than $1.55 million, and Mr. Buff won multiple titles and rank in the top 30 among all-time New York-bred earners.

From Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home:

Friends may visit at Claude R. Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home, 448 W. Main Street, Babylon Village, New York, Thursday, October 24 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Religious services at 10 a.m. Friday, October 25 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Farmingdale, New York. Mary will be laid to rest at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 298 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, New York, 11735, in her name, appreciated.

Condolences and fond memories can be left at www.Boyd-Spencer.com.

Nicole McNees’ Not Phar Now, a gelding by American Pharoah bred by Chester and Mary Broman, competed in Barrel Racing under Jessica Frederick and earned the Empire State Success Story Top New York-Bred Award at last week’s Thoroughbred Makeover competition in Lexington, Kentucky. Erin Gilmore Photography.

By Melissa Bauer-Herzog

Three New York-breds finished in the top five after two days of preliminary competition at last week’s Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, and represented the Empire State in Saturday’s Finale.

One of 28 New York-bred retired racehorses who competed at this year’s Makeover, Not Phar Now, was awarded the Empire State Success Story Top New York-Bred Award presented by New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc., New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and New York Racing Association after the week’s preliminary competition as the highest placed Makeover horse bred in New York.

Bred by Chester and Mary Broman, the son of American Pharoah competed in barrel racing and proved best among the 20 horses entered in the discipline. Performing a horsemanship pattern and two preliminary barrel racing runs during the week, Not Phar Now recorded a combined score of 40.134, more than a point ahead of the next nearest horse to enter the Finale.

Competitors started on a clean slate in the Finale and Not Phar Now showed that his earlier scores were truly representative of his abilities. The gelding stopped the clock in :18.567 Saturday – more than a second and a half faster than the nearest competitor – to win the division with Jessica Frederick aboard. Now that the Makeover in the books, Not Phar Now will see a change in rider with owner Nicole McNees turned the reins over to her 11-year-old daughter Zoe.

“During the run, I had to remember to breathe and just trust him because sometimes I forget to trust him around work,” Frederick said. “He’s such a special guy, especially with him only having one eye. He’s so special.”

The title of Barrel Racing Champion is just the latest accolade for the one-eyed Not Phar Now, who was trained at the end of his career by Orlando Noda for Final Turn Racing Stable and Celeritas Racing. Not Phar Now won six of his 24 starts, with seven other top-three finishes, and earned $271,790 during his career. He was sourced from ReRun Inc. by McNees.

Boo Ba La, a daughter of Frost Giant bred by Dutchess Views Farm Inc. and Gina Bentivgna, finished third behind Not Phar Now. The 5-year-old mare, retired in August 2023 while under the care of owner-trainer Ralph D’Alessandro, won twice on the track with three other top-three finishes during her racing career.

Boo Ba La had finished close behind Not Phar Now in her preliminary performances to be less than 3 points behind the leader going into the Finale. The Megan Hems-trained Boo Ba La registered a time of :20.597 to finish just a tick behind the runner-up and 1.5 seconds ahead of the fourth-place finisher. Boo Ba La also finished 15th in the Freestyle event during preliminary competition.

Winwood was the third representative for the New York-bred program in the Finale when competing in Polo.

A homebred runner for Ron Lombardi’s Mr. Amore Stable, Winwood was retired from the track last December after four career starts. A 3-year-old son of Poseidon’s Warrior, Winwood finished fifth in preliminary competition to earn his spot in the Finale. After a flat test and short indoor polo match where he could show his skills, Winwood finished fifth in the Finale.

Just like Boo Ba La, Winwood competed in a second discipline and finished 21st in Freestyle.

Only five horses from each discipline competed in the Finale but five other New York-breds also finished in the top 20 of their disciplines. The other top-20 finishers:

• Lemon Taffy (sixth, Barrel Racing)
• Cancelled Captivity (10th, Barrel Racing)
• Best Idea (10th, Competitive Trail)
• Bustin Hoffman (16th, Ranch Work)

Pretty miss Keens (17th, Show Hunters)