Harlan Malter (left) and John Dowd, the team behind Ironhorse Stallions and Ironhorse Racing Stable. Jack Harvey Photo.
Edited press release
Ironhorse Stallions and Ironhorse Racing Stable entered into a long-term agreement to establish a permanent base of operations at the former Stone Bridge Farm Training Center in Schuylerville. The move creates a uniquely integrated equine hub—breeding, foaling, raising and race preparation all under one roof—in the heart of New York’s storied Thoroughbred region.
The Schuylerville property, just minutes from Saratoga Springs, offers world-class farmland, barns, training facilities and paddocks. By anchoring their operation in-state, Ironhorse strengthens New York’s Thoroughbred breeding program—helping retain valuable mares and foals, creating jobs and keeping investment dollars local.
While Kentucky and Florida will always play vital roles in the development of top racehorses, Ironhorse’s goal is to ensure that New York breeders and owners have every opportunity to keep their mares and foals in state whenever possible, maximizing the benefits of New York’s incentive programs and enriching its racing scene.
With a broodmare band of more than 25 and a growing roster of in-house stallions, the integrated Ironhorse operation now occupies a unique position in the marketplace: the ability to produce its own horses entirely in-house, from conception to the starting gate. Stallions can be bred to the farm’s mares, foals are born and raised on site and young stock can be pre-trained and readied for the races without ever leaving the property. This vertical integration allows complete oversight of quality and care, ensuring consistency from breeding shed to winner’s circle.
“This location isn’t just a facility, it’s a statement,” said Harlan Malter, managing partner of Ironhorse Stallions and Ironhorse Racing Stable. “To be able to breed, foal, raise and campaign in one unified base is a dream for any stallion and racing operation. It allows us to keep breeding capital, talent and energy right here in New York, while continuing to collaborate with the important programs in Kentucky and Florida. This farm gives breeders and owners every reason to stay, and it shows that world-class breeding and racehorse development can thrive right here on home turf.”
“I’ve spent my career working across farms, tracks and sales, and I know how critical it is to offer breeders a complete program,” said John Dowd, who will be on-site managing operations, breeding shed and bloodstock. “With this facility we can stand stallions, manage our mares and raise top-class foals that never have to leave the state. New York breeders gain a true cradle-to-track solution while continuing to benefit from the broader national industry.”
Malter added that the move bolster’s Ironhorse’s commitment to the state.
“This is about John and my belief and commitment to New York’s breeding and racing industry,” he said. “I said last year we were doubling down on this state as home for our stallion operation, now this year our racing operation, I guess that means we are quadrupeling down.”
Ironhorse’s integrated approach provides:
• Standing premier stallions in New York to attract quality mares and capitalize on state breeder incentives;
• A local option for mares that might otherwise ship to Kentucky, ensuring more foals are conceived and born in New York;
• Foaling and raising offspring in-state, reducing the need to send all young horses to Florida or other regions; and
• Training and prepping those horses for the track within the same facility, keeping investment and employment opportunities in New York.
