by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society
Cranbury, NJ — The Hambletonian Society, which owns and administrates many of harness racing’s richest and most prestigious events, held its annual meeting on Friday, August 5, the eve of the $1.5 million Hambletonian, its crown jewel for 86 years.
Two new directors were elected to the board and racing conditions restricting eligibility of 4-year-old stallions to the Hambletonian in 2018 were approved.
Clay H. Horner of Toronto, Ontario, and Adam E. Victor, Jr. of New York, N.Y., were elected to the board of the Society, which was formed in 1924 to create the Hambletonian Stake and encourage and support the breeding of Standardbred horses through the development, administration and promotion of harness racing stake, early-closing races and other special events.
Hambletonian Stake No. 89, to be raced in 2014, was opened for yearling nominations on May 15, 2012.
It was also agreed that the racing conditions of Hambletonian No. 93, to be raced in 2018, would include the initiative to keep harness racing stars on the racetrack.
Foals by stallions that were 4-year-olds or younger at the time of their conception will be ineligible to the Hambletonian, with the exception of foals by those sires which were retired for reasons of unsoundness or another serious medical condition which prevented racing competitively as a 4-year-old.
The board also discussed adding a Hambletonian Maturity for 4-year-old trotters to its schedule of stakes beginning as early as 2014.