Schenectady, NY — The Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund has awarded roughly $200,000 in total grant funding between five organizations within the horse and harness racing industry. The Fund Trustees awarded grants based on the strength of proposal, the availability of resources and meeting the statutorily mandated mission of the Fund.

“The Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law gives us the authorization to distribute funding to support and promote research, educational programming, and preservation of the history and traditions of harness horse racing,” said Barry Sample, chairman, New York State Gaming Commission. “We are honored to present the grant winners with this funding as they clearly uphold the standards of this law as well as our mission at the Fund.”

The Fund awarded the following grants:

• The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame is receiving $50,000. The strength of the Museum’s education programing lies in the teaching staff as well as the physical plant, resulting in the department’s budget being heavy on salary expenses. The Museum notes that the significant financial support of the Agricultural and NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund continues to be critical to the Museum’s efforts to educate the public about harness racing history and the sport. These funds provide the means for adequate personnel support and marketing as well as upgrading equipment, purchasing educational craft supplies and other department expenses.

• Goshen Historic Track is receiving $50,000 to supplement the costs of the renovation program for the Arden Barn extension which sits adjacent to the historic Arden Barn which was renovated in 2019. One of the highlights of the track has always been the blacksmith shop which was destroyed in the fire of 2017. The grant will help fund part of the cost of building a new facility in the Arden Barn extension’s newly named “Bosler Blacksmith Shop” which will be up to code with proper ventilation as well as having masonry fire-rated wall construction to prevent flame spread in the event of a fire.

• New York State 4-H Program is receiving $48,000 to be dispersed over several 4-H program areas that provide for youth development programs. The Fund has supported 4-H in the past and the support received has become an essential component of the 4-H programs. These programs have a wide reach in both rural and urban areas and a long track record of extending resources effectively through the Cooperative Extension/4-H system.

• Cornell Cooperative Extension Equine is receiving $7,000 for a program entitled “Foaling to Finish Line.” CCE Equine was established in 2006 through funds provided by the New York Farm Viability Institute. As part of that mission, a decision was made in 2016 to develop an educational program targeted toward the adult equine owner and businessperson. CCE has become a centralized resource for everything equine in New York State. The grant would be used to continue to build upon its foundation, becoming the leader in equine information and outreach in New York State. With the $7,000, CCE will introduce the Educational Program “Foaling to Finish Line” to the public. These educational opportunities connect the community with the Standardbred racing industry by visiting farms, museums and historic tracks as well as introducing the public to how this industry stimulates our local economy.

• Morrisville College Foundation is receiving $43,473 for the expansion of their laboratory that will ensure students, as well as high school students, learn best practice techniques with Standardbred breeding that would include modern techniques for semen handling along with mare management. The equipment will also allow faculty to conduct research with students including the ability to partner with NYS stallion owners to conduct quality control analysis on semen samples.

The Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development 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, Excelsior/State Fair Series races, and County Fair races.