najja thompson | Horse Racing Free Tips

NYRA Raises Purses For 2024 New York-Bred Foal Crop

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, New York-bred overnight races for 2-year-olds on the NYRA circuit will offer purse amounts matching the race's open-company counterpart, which will directly benefit the state's 2024 foal crop and pave the way to compete for some of the richest purses of any state-bred program in the nation, the association said in a release Wednesday.

At the 2023 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, maiden races restricted to New York-bred 2-year-olds featured a purse of $88,000 compared to a purse of $105,000 offered for 2-year-olds competing in an open-company maiden event.

While this purse increase will impact only the 2024 New York-bred foal crop, NYRA intends to further expand purse parity for additional categories of New York-bred races in the future.

In 2022, NYRA conducted 556 races exclusively for registered New York-breds with purses totaling $42,366,000. Among those races were 56 stakes with $8,725,000 of purse money on offer. NYRA holds three high profile NY-bred showcase days annually, highlighted by New York Showcase Day at Saratoga Race Course. In 2023, Saratoga Showcase Day was run on the Sunday of Travers Weekend and featured a whopping 113 NY-breds competing in 11 races, including six stakes worth a combined $1.25 million.

As a result of the partnership between NYRA and FOX Sports, nearly every NY-bred contest is broadcast live to a national audience on the FOX Sports family of networks. Both Saratoga Live and America's Day at the Races, which are produced by NYRA, have generated sustained ratings growth since they were launched nationally in 2016.

“The New York-bred program is critically important to the future of thoroughbred racing in New York State,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “This new purse structure increases the value of the upcoming foal crop of New York-breds, and reflects NYRA's commitment to the owners, breeders and trainers who choose to breed and race in New York.”

Beyond the rich purses offered by NYRA, a variety of owner, breeder and stallion awards are available to those who breed and race in New York. These lucrative incentives serve as a significant benefit to thoroughbred breeding farms across the state, which create and sustain thousands of jobs in every corner of New York.

“This initiative is a strong signal to the bloodstock market on why you should breed and foal in New York, and own a New York-bred to race,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders. “New York-breds compete and win at the highest levels, and NYRA's consistent support guarantees more opportunities than ever for New York State's breeders and owners.”

New York State has adopted rules that expand the reach of the New York-bred awards and benefits by clarifying a pathway for non-resident mares to gain residency status. According to the rule changes, a non-resident mare purchased in foal through public auction is deemed a resident mare provided the mare is purchased for at least $50,000 in the public auction; is present in the state of New York within 15 days after a sale in North America and 60 days at any public auction sale abroad; the foal is foaled in New York; and the mare thereafter is continuously in residence in New York from within 120 days after her last cover in the year of conception of another foal and remains in residency until foaling.

“It pays to participate in the New York-bred program,” added Thompson. “And bringing a mare back to New York is a valuable proposition, especially for the 2024 foaling season.”

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ICHA Conference Highlighted by Equine Welfare

The 57th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, focused this year on safeguarding equine welfare and exploring shifts in societal expectations and the sport's response around the world, took place on Oct. 2 at Saint-Cloud racetrack in Paris.

Organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the day-long conference emphasized horse racing in a changing society, safeguarding equine welfare and explore shifts in societal expectations and the racing industry's response around the world.

“Today we continued what has been a chief mission throughout the life of the Federation: equine welfare,” IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who delivered the Conference's opening and closing remarks, said. “This Conference provides an opportunity to focus and build upon the significant body of work which has been carried out domestically and internationally over many years by our members to protect our equine athletes.

Moderated by racing presenter Nick Luck, speakers on the day included Professor Natalie Waran, Chair of the Independent Commission for Equine Ethics and Wellbeing for the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI); Lisa-Jane Graffard, General Secretary, Au-Delà des Pistes; Julie Harrington, Chief Executive, British Horseracing Authority (BHA); Najja Thompson, Executive Director, New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Inc. (NYTB); James Given, Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, BHA; Josh Rubinstein, President, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club; Brian Stewart, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC); Sonia Wittreck, Stud Book & Doping Control, Head of Department, France-Galop; and Hiroshi Ito, Counselor of the Japan Racing Association (JRA).

During her speech, Waran presented key strategies for equine sports to proactively consider amidst changing societal expectations. This included increasing continuing education for anyone working hands-on with equine athletes to better their welfare.

“Our changing social values in relation to animals have affected different industries in different ways,” said Waran. “It is important to recognise that society does not distinguish between different equestrian sports. There is enough data out there to show that the concerns around horse involvement in sport are rising. The racing world must positively engage with both perception and reality and show real commitment to change to ensure positive welfare.”

Following her keynote, a panel of senior racing administrators including Lisa-Jane Graffard, General Secretary, Au-Delà des Pistes; Julie Harrington, Chief Executive, British Horseracing Authority (BHA); and Najja Thompson, Executive Director, New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Inc. (NYTB), shared their approaches and strategies to shape the narratives surrounding equine welfare and racing.

The next panel of the Conference featured leaders from racing administration and veterinary science who explored protecting the sport's equine athletes. Speakers included James Given, Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, BHA; Josh Rubinstein, President, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club; Brian Stewart, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC); and Sonia Wittreck, Stud Book & Doping Control, Head of Department, France-Galop.

“Getting the balance right is part of training, but it is also something technology can help us with,” said Stewart. “If we do have a problem, we have to be able to achieve an accurate diagnosis, and that will guide our future management of that horse. Things are now coming together, and I am quite hopeful we might be able to make a significant difference.”

Also, Charles Scheeler, Chair of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) in the United States, gave an update on the organisation, including a review of the implementation of the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) program and future developments.

“HISA is working under the supervision of the Federal Trade Commission and in partnership with the members of the sport to transform horse racing,” Scheeler said. “The essence of this effort is the creation of an ecosystem of care surrounding horses. We remain excited about horse racing's future in the United States, and we recognise that we have a rich legacy to protect.”

The final session of the Conference looked in-depth at enhancing stakeholder engagement, specifically regarding public engagement and response in relation to equine welfare. Nevin Truesdale, the Chief Executive Officer of The Jockey Club (UK), began the session with a discussion of his organisation's experiences with effective resolution and communication management.

“We need to operate together on this,” said Truesdale. “Having a clear set of messages as an industry, everyone singing off the same sheet, became really important for us in the lead up and the aftermath of Epsom. We have to be relentless in continuing to make the sport safer and in telling that story. There is a persuadable audience, statistics show us that, but that will only work for us if we are clear on the changes we are making. Standing still on this is not optional.”

The first International Conference of Horseracing Authorities was organized and hosted by the Société d'Encouragement in Paris, France, on Oct. 9, 1967. Since 1994, the annual conference has been organized by the IFHA and The JRA became the official partner of the Conference beginning in 2021. This year's Conference convened delegates from about 40 different countries, with a number of other racing executives and media members in attendance.

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NY-Breds to Receive Increased Purses at Saratoga

New York-breds racing in open company at Saratoga this summer will be competing for increased purses, the New York Racing Association announced Thursday.

“NYRA is committed to supporting and enhancing the New York-bred program now and in the future,” said Frank Gabriel, NYRA SVP 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% higher than the purse offered for non-New York-breds. Additionally, New York State Breeding Fund Owner Awards and breeder awards will be paid on top of the 30% 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 New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Executive Director Najja Thompson. “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.

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 New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association president Joe Appelbaum. “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.”

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Wanamaker’s and NYTB Partner Again for Online Sale

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Inc. (NYTB) is partnering again with the online Thoroughbred auction company Wanamaker's to provide a New York-bred horses of racing age sale. The auction has been set for Thursday, Jun. 8, two days before the 155th running of the GI Belmont S. at Belmont Park, Wanamakers announced on Monday.

Entries for the sale will close on May 30, and the catalogue will be released on May 31.

“We are thrilled to once again partner with Wanamaker's to give buyers and sellers the opportunity to market and purchase New York-bred horses of racing age ahead of the summer racing season in New York,” NYTB Executive Director Najja Thompson said. “Following last year's sale, we received an overwhelming amount of good feedback. Looking to improve on the format to the utmost benefit of buyers and sellers, our new sale date on Thursday, June 8 will allow purchasers the opportunity to take the utmost advantage of owning a New York-bred with our racing program and awards with the opportunity to compete during the remainder of the Spring/Summer meet at Belmont Park and the entire Saratoga Race Course season.”

Prospective buyers may browse the website to view pedigrees, pictures, and videos of each hip offered. In-person inspections
may be scheduled by contacting sellers with the information provided in the catalogue. The entry fee for the auction will be $300 and commissions will be 5% on sales and zero on RNAs. To enter a horse, go to the Wanamaker's website.

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