NYTHA

How did we get hooked on this sport? We all have stories about how our love affair developed and blossomed. The TDN reached out to numerous notable people in the industry to get their stories to find out how they got hooked and stayed hooked on the sport. Michael Dubb, owner My introduction to racing really occurred as an accident as horses were not on my radar when I was a 16-year-old kid mowing lawns after school and on weekends. At one particular house where I cut the grass I...

The annual Toys for Tots donation drive at Aqueduct Racetrack will return Thursday, Dec. 5 and continue through Saturday, Dec. 7. Founded in 1947, the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation collects and distributes new, unwrapped toys to local children in need each holiday season. Fans can access donation boxes at Aqueduct, located at the Turf and Field entrance and the Clubhouse lobby by the escalator. "This partnership means more children and families throughout New York City and across Long Island will experience a joyful holiday season," said Robert...

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Scholarship Fund distributed $183,000 to 36 students for the 2024-25 academic year. "It's heartwarming to see what an impact we can have on the lives of young people," said NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond. "Education has long been the springboard to a successful future. Some of our graduates have become veterinarians, others work in medicine, and one has even become a pilot with JetBlue. NYTHA Scholarships are available to backstretch workers or their direct dependants. Established in 2008, the Fund has assisted nearly 700...

The recent Dept. of Labor webinar is now available on HorsemenU for Continuing Education (CE) credits. Featuring representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor - Wage & Hour Division and the New York State Department of Labor, the webinar covered topics such as employer requirements for the H-2B visa program, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and investigative processes, along with labor law specifics for New York State Employers. Speakers included: Sarah Decker, Community Outreach and Resource Planning Specialist - DOL/Wage & Hour Division Cynthia Spahl, Regional Enforcement Coordinator for...

Voted on by the fans, the first-ever Down Broadway Retired Racehorse of the Year Award will be presented on New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday, August 15, the New York Horsemen's Association said in a Wednesday release. Casting a ballot will be open to the public from July 17 through Aug. 8. Wristbands for each nominee will be given away on Aftercare Day so that fans can show their support, and the presentation of the award will be made in the Saratoga winner's circle after...

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) has made a contribution of $25,000 to support the development of Cornell Equine. The cross-campus program, rooted in Cornell University's scientific research clinical care and education, and based at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, aims to advance equine health and education through enhanced collaboration amongst interdisciplinary teams. "We are so grateful for the support of NYTHA in helping us bring Cornell Equine to fruition," says Dr. Mandi de Mestre, professor of equine medicine with the Baker Institute for Animal Health and...

The New York Trainers Health Insurance Program (NYTHIP) has seen rising participation each year since being signed into law in October 2021. Trainers who compete on the New York Racing Association circuit over the course of a calendar year are eligible to enroll in the program for the following year, provided they meet two criteria: Minimum of 43 starts at NYRA tracks (Aqueduct, Belmont & Saratoga) Minimum of 60% of all starts must be at NYRA tracks Legislation was originally proposed by the New York  Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and its...

The deadline to apply for the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association paid social media internship in Saratoga is Monday, Apr. 1. Over the course of the seven-week meet this summer, the intent is to produce engaging videos and images for NYTHA's social media accounts. "This is a fantastic opportunity for a young person interested in racing to experience an insider's access and share their fresh perspective on the sport," said Marie Kizenko, NYTHA's Communications Manager. "We look forward to sharing NYTHA's mission with all those interested." Interested applicants should send...

Tina Marie Bond, recently elected president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA), added the office of president of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA) to her duties after the THA's annual meeting and election Mar. 19-20 in Florida. "It's an honor to be elected president of such an esteemed collective," said Bond, who is the first woman ever to helm the organization. "THA is at the forefront of collaborative decision-making and policy implementation on issues such as racehorse aftercare, equine safety and welfare, and protecting the integrity of our...

Horse racing in New York registered a $3-billion impact on the Empire State's economy and an employment impact of 19,785 in 2023, per results released from the American Horse Council's 2023 Economic Impact Study. "It's impressive to see how much of an economic engine horse racing is in the state of New York," said NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond. "Together with a total economic impact of $3 billion statewide, racing has added over 2,000 direct jobs in the past five years. Racing supports land preservation and green space across the...

The position of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) president is up for grabs at a time of great upheaval for horse racing in the state. Belmont Park is poised to undergo a $455-million overhaul, after which Aqueduct is set to close its doors. Within a few years, horse racing in New York will look drastically different to what it looks like today. This is also a period of tremendous existential challenge for the sport, as evidenced by a recent 60 Minutes expose on the industry's doping problems. Among the...

Every summer, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) takes in a small gaggle of college-age interns--what for many of them proves a baptism of the turf. This year's batch--three Yale undergrads studying economics, electrical engineering and political science--were tasked with a data-driven analysis of the economics of the national horse racing biz over the past 20 years. Harboring no previous relationship with the industry, the three undergrads came in free of prejudice and preconceptions. The result is a 33-page paper weaving piercing and worrying insights into the state of...