Grassroots

May 2007

NYFB endorses Empire Racing

New York Farm Bureau, the state’s largest agricultural advocacy group, has announced it has endorsed Empire Racing to be awarded the franchise to run the state’s three thoroughbred race tracks.

“For this group, it’s all about the horses and enhancing the overall agricultural industry,” said Farm Bureau president John Lincoln. “Empire Racing far and away has demonstrated that it will place a high priority on the equine industry and our network of farm businesses that support farming in general. Empire clearly understands the growing role of equine in farming and the Upstate economy.”

“Empire Racing will bring the farmer into the fold to support the tracks, providing new opportunities for agriculture that we so desperately need in New York.”

Farm Bureau voted to endorse Empire Racing during a March board of directors meeting in Albany because of several key factors, including:

- Empire is developing a program that will provide farmers with the education and resources needed to convert their businesses into successful horse breeding farms.
- Farm Bureau’s members will also benefit from the hay production demanded by the tracks. Empire has ensured that it will open up track access to all hay producers and their distributors, something the current operators have been unwilling to do.
- Empire has proposed to provide at least $20 million for Cornell University’s equine drug-testing facility and $1 million to enhance the university’s equine research program. Empire has offered to invest in Cornell University’s Equine Hospital, developing it into a regional center for catastrophic injury and rehabilitation.
- Empire has also proposed at least $1 million to help SUNY Morrisville build an Equine Rehabilitation and Physiology Center at its campus.

“Without question, agriculture and the horse industry in New York will greatly benefit from Empire’s holding of the racing franchise,” Lincoln said.

Empire Racing consists of a group of New York horsemen and breeders and is exclusively supported by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. The group represents the interests of the 6,000 owners, trainers and farmers who provide New York State with $1.8 billion in economic impact, 17,000 jobs and preservation of 44,000 acres of open green space.

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