Albany, NY — The Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund has announced the Fund will implement a County Fair Racetrack Capital Improvement Program. The Fund will disburse up to $15,000 for the purpose of capital construction of, or equipment to maintain, the racetrack.

The Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund will continue the County Fair Repair Reimbursement Program. If you are conducting Standardbred races during your fair this year, the fund will reimburse up to $6,000 of repair costs and $2,000 in administrative costs related to race day.

“We are excited to introduce the Capital Improvement Program for county fair racetracks across New York,” said Ralph Scunziano, Executive Director of the Agriculture & New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund. “Everyone involved, from horsemen, fans and most importantly, the Standardbreds, will benefit from this significant investment into our tracks and racing surfaces.”

Please be advised you must apply separately for both programs, all forms can be accessed here. Once completed, applications must be submitted to the Fund via one of the following methods: email to NYSS@caphill.com; fax to 518.463.8656; or mail to Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund, 230 Washington Ave. Extension, Suite 101, Albany NY 12203.

The Fund will review all applications on a case-by-case basis with further details being provided upon approval.

The Fund also announced today that the 2024 County Fair harness racing season will feature no split fields, resulting in an increase of fields of equal size and equitable distribution of purses.

The New York Sire Stakes is the state’s premier harness racing program for 2- and 3-year-old Standardbreds. Established to encourage the breeding, buying and racing of Standardbred horses in New York State, it is the nation’s oldest harness racing program of its kind and has served as a model for state-bred racing programs.

To learn more, visit the New York Sire Stakes website at www.nysirestakes.com.