from the Morrisville Sale Co.

Morrisville, NY — There was a great deal of attention given to Royalty For Life on Saturday due to his impressive victory in the $1 million Hambletonian final at the Meadowlands.

The colt’s outstanding efforts were especially praised as he was one of the few horses born and raised in Massachusetts to reach the absolute upper echelon in harness racing. However, because he is by a stallion based in New York (RC Royalty who stands at Morrisville College) the question was poised as to whether he was eligible in Massachusetts or New York?

The simple answer is both.

Because Royalty For Life was born and raised at the Belchertown, Mass., farm of Chip Campbell (who is also, incidentally, the owner of RC Royalty) he is eligible to the Massachusetts Sire Stakes program.

However, because he is sired by a stallion standing in New York and his dam, Bourbon ‘N Grits, was in New York for the breeding, he is also eligible in that state.

Dual eligibility is fairly rare among Sire Stakes programs and something that should be examined more closely by potential yearling buyers to increase their colt’s and filly’s racing opportunities.

In addition to standing RC Royalty, Morrisville also offers an annual yearling sale with this year’s event scheduled for Sept. 22 at 12 noon where 17 of the 35 registered RC Royalty yearlings will pass through the ring.