New York State approves semen transport

The New York State Governor, Kathy Hochul, signed the bill to allow for shipped seamen in NY.

This legislation removes the requirement that mares had to come to NY to be inseminated in order for their foals to be sire stakes eligible. That historical provision worked well, while NYS was the first and only state to launch a state sponsored sire stakes program back in the 1960s. The legislation back then became antiquated and stifling to the harness racing industry in NYS.

The legislation signed by Governor Hochul was spearheaded over a two year period by the efforts principally of Blue Chip Farms’ Tom Grossman. His perseverance and the work of his lobbying team, Yoswein NY,  was aided by a host of others who testified across NYS at three listening sessions held by the NYSS in support of  the remedial legislation.

The work of Assemblyman Gary Pretlow and Senator Joseph Addabbo, the respective racing committee chairs in our two chambers,  was done in the interests and the good of the industry. These two public servants are tremendous assets in NY and a pleasure to work with.

NYS will now be able to attract new stallions and the number of foals will increase for our sire stakes program. The NYS Agriculture & Horse Breeding Development Fund, headed by Richard A Ball, Brian O’Dwyer and Steve Jones, and administered by Ralph Scunziano, are expected to make many changes to the program itself in the near future to make it even more attractive. The beneficiaries of the leadership Governor Hochul showed, will undoubtedly be harness racing, agriculture and the breeding industry here in NY.

Again, a huge shout out to Governor Kathy Hochul, Tommy Grossman, Team Yoswein and all those who by their participation in the process, helped achieve the goal to make NY harness racing more viable and more competitive with other jurisdictions.

by Joseph Faraldo, for the SOA of NY