Leading owner and breeder Barry K. Schwartz. Coglianese Photo.

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) is pleased to announce Thoroughbred breeder and owner Barry K. Schwartz will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in the New York-bred program.

Schwartz, who owns and operates Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs with his wife Sheryl, will be recognized at the NYTB’s Awards Dinner sponsored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, May 19 at Sacred Saratoga on the property of GMP Farm in Schuylerville.

“Barry has been an integral and influential person in the development of New York breeding and racing,” said NYTB President Dr. Scott Ahlschwede. “He has achieved success in every facet of our industry, and we are proud to honor and recognize his contributions to New York breeding and racing at our marquee event.”

Schwartz, the former CEO of Calvin Klein Inc., grew up a racing fan and purchased his first horse in 1978. He has consistently been one of the Empire State’s leading owners and breeders for nearly four decades since.

“What a great honor,” Schwartz said. “When I got the call, everything was out of the blue and kind of shocking. Yes, I was shocked. Shocked. I guess it tells you you’re getting up in years when they use that lifetime word.”

A member of The Jockey Club and former Chairman and CEO of the New York Racing Association, Schwartz bred and campaigned New York-bred Grade 1 winners Voodoo Song, The Lumber Guy and Princess Violet, along with New York-bred graded stakes winners Lovely Lil and Sharp Starr in his signature black and white colors. Other leading runners campaigned by Schwartz include Boom Towner, David, Degenerate Jon, Great Intentions, Jacaranda, Killer Diller, Lovely Lil, Nothing But Fun, Papa Shot, Papua, Rodman, Star Dabbler, Thepromonroe, Three Ring, Turnofthecentury and Whatlovelookslike.

Boom Towner won 29 of 82 starts with 30 other placings and earned $962,391. Claimed for $50,000 in September 1993 at Belmont Park, he won the Grade 3 Boojum Handicap three starts later at Aqueduct for trainer Mike Hushion. The popular gelding known for his tendency to lug in won three more stakes carrying Schwartz’s colors. Boom Towner continued to run competitively in the claiming ranks at 7, 8 and 9 before being claimed for $25,000 in late June 1997. Schwartz and Hushion claimed him back for $18,000 in December 1997 and retired the gelding in early 1998.

“He certainly wasn’t the best horse that I’ve had, but he was my favorite,” Schwartz said. “We claimed him for $50,000. He went up the ladder. He was a stake horse for a long, long time. He came back down the ladder, as he aged, and got claimed a few times. Eventually I retired him and he lived until he was 31.

“Every year when I’d go out to California, I’d see him and take a picture with him because I didn’t know if I was going to see him again. But he hung in there. He lived until he was at 31, which is a real ripe old age. He definitely recognized me. He’d know my car when I came up the road to the paddock he was in. He’d come over to the fence and look for some sort of a treat. He’d stick his head right into my chest, you know, and nuzzle me. We had a very personal relationship.”

Schwartz takes a hands-on approach to building and sustaining his broodmare band that runs between 15 and 20 mares every year. He’s assisted by his longtime farm manager Peter Moore and enjoys the challenges with breeding his own racing prospects.

“Most of the years, believe it or not, I did it all myself,” Schwartz said of his approach to mating mares. “I did a lot of reading. I go back in the days reading the Racing Form when (Leon) Rasmussen would write the ‘Bloodlines’ column. I read Tesio’s books. I read most everything I could get my hands on relating to breeding over the years.

“Now I do it all with my farm manager. He’ll go down to Kentucky to visit the stallions, look at them physically and make recommendations. He’s truly a horseman. We’ve become very close and have really worked very well together for a number of years now.”

Stonewall Farm was honored as Breeder of the Year by the NYTB in 2023 and 2012 and by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association as New York Breeder of the Year in 2023. Schwartz also received the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Award as “the person who did the most for racing” in 2001 by the New York Turf Writers Association.

“We look forward to celebrating Barry’s lifetime achievements as an owner, breeder and racing executive at this year’s New York-bred Divisional Champions Awards dinner,” said NYTB Executive Director Najja Thompson. “In addition to celebrating each of our divisional program nominees it will be a wonderful evening.”

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. is pleased to formally announce the finalists for the inaugural 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year Award.

This award, voted on by New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.’s board of directors, recognizes an individual in a managerial or supervisory role at a New York Thoroughbred-based farm.

The 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year Award will be presented as part of the programming during the New York-bred Divisional Championship Awards of 2024, scheduled for 6:30-9 p.m. on Monday, May 19, at Saratoga on the property of GMP Farm Equine Rehabilitation and Therapy in Schuylerville, NY.

This person displays exceptional leadership qualities, particularly in motivating, mentoring, and supporting colleagues day-to-day. This individual should show consistency, reliability, and a talent for Thoroughbred breeding horsemanship and is a pivotal part of a New York Thoroughbred farm’s success.

The nominees for the 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year Award are listed below in alphabetical order:

• • • • • • • • • Lolly LaRue [Thirty Year Farm]
                • Bill Leak [Irish Hill Century Farm]
                • John McMahon [McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds]
                • Crystal Morris [Sugar Plum Farm]
                • Charl Van Der Westhuizen [Sequel Stallions NY]
                • Sandra Washburn [The New Hill Farm]
                • Kyle Willard [Windylea Farm]

Tickets for the New York-bred Divisional Championship Awards Dinner, where the 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year will be awarded in addition to New York Divisional Championship nominees, Broodmare of the Year, Champion Trainer, Champion Jockey, and Outstanding Breeder, are available for purchase while supplies last. Tickets are $150 for NYTB members and $175 for non-members by visiting nytbreeders.org/events. Tables of 10 are also available for $1,350 for NYTB members.

Jane Schosberg with her late husband Paul and their beloved corgis. Schosberg Family Photo.

A stalwart of New York’s racing and breeding programs, Jane Mindlin Schosberg died peacefully on March 15, surrounded by her family. She was 85 years old.

Schosberg grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y. and attended Scarsdale High School, where she met Paul Schosberg, her high-school sweetheart. After attending Bennington College and earning a liberal arts degree, Jane married Paul in 1959. Their daughter Jill was born in 1960, their son Richard a year later.

Paul’s career in politics took the couple to Northern Virginia and Washington D.C., where Paul worked as chief of staff to two members of the House of Representatives. Jane had grown up riding horses, and it was in Virginia that she and family began the racing and breeding operation that continued to her death, and where the Schosberg family bought their first farm.

Jane gave riding lessons at Deerfield Riding Academy in Great Falls, VA, while her daughter Jill became an accomplished show rider and her son Rick, in his words, “mucked out stalls as fast as I could.”

“One day, Mom and I were out riding in Virginia,” remembered Rick. “She was riding her Thoroughbred mare Dot in Spot, who became our foundation broodmare. I was riding a little Arab Welsh cross named My Fair Lady, and she was anything but. There was a pond in the middle of the field, and Mom told me to gallop through the pond.

“My Fair Lady decided that she liked being in the pond, and my mom turned around and yelled, ‘Kick kick kick! She’s going to roll on top of you!’

“I was too stupid to get off, and of course the horse knelt down and rolled on me. Once mom realized I was OK and breathing, she started laughing and made me get back on and do it the right way.”

In 1974, the Schosbergs purchased Pine Lane Farm near Katonah when they relocated to New York from Virginia, and Dot in Spot came with them.

Dot in Spot produced four foals, bred in Jane’s name, all bred in New York. The best of them, Lotus Delight, was multiple stakes-placed and earned $243,000, retiring in 1988. One of her daughters, Tim’s Lady, produced Mellow Roll, who earned more than half a million dollars and was voted New York-bred Champion Two-Year-Old Male in 1997.

Jane also bred Cyanea, the 1982 New York-bred champion two-year-old filly, and a winner and a runner-up of the New York Breeders Futurity, Bix in 1982 and Tons in 1977 respectively.

She often visited Kentucky and was a regular at the Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales, developing strong relationships with Denali Stud, Ashford Stud, and Coolmore America. She had a strong friend network in the Bluegrass, and though she was pretty much a lifelong New Yorker, she was an ardent fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

Jane Schosberg was predeceased by her husband Paul in 2017 and her daughter Jill Stoller in 2021. She is survived by her son Richard and her daughter-in-law Dawn; her sister Katherine Reinleitner; her son-in-law Timothy Stoller; grandsons Travis and Ryan; granddaughter Jenna Stoller Grimshaw and her husband Sean; and two great-grandchildren Bryce and Nora.

She is also survived by Waffles, her beloved Corgi, who now lives with Jane’s best friend Donna Klemas in Canada. Rescued from Lexington, KY, Waffles hitched a ride on a Morrisey’s horse van to become Jane’s constant companion.

Services will be private. Those wishing to honor Jane’s life and legacy are encouraged to donate to the Mayo Clinic, to Take2/Take The Lead, or to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. is pleased to announce this year’s New York-bred Divisional Championship Awards of 2024 scheduled for 6:30-9 p.m. on Monday, May 19 at Sacred Saratoga on the property of GMP Farm Equine Rehabilitation and Therapy in Schuylerville, NY will also feature a special award for New York Farm Manager of the Year.

This award, to be chosen from the nominated candidates and voted by the board of directors of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. is in recognition of an individual in a managerial or supervisory role at a New York Thoroughbred-based farm.

This person should display exceptional leadership qualities, particularly in motivating, mentoring, and supporting colleagues day-to-day. This individual should show consistency, reliability, and a talent for Thoroughbred breeding horsemanship and is a pivotal part of the Thoroughbred farm’s success.

Please complete the form located here to submit a nomination for 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year. All nomination applications must be submitted by March 31, 2025 and can be returned to NYTB via e-mail at info@nytbreeders.org or mail at NYTB, Inc. P.O. Box 5120 Saratoga Springs, NY.

If you have any questions regarding the application process for the 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year, please contact NYTB at 518.587.0777 or email at info@nytbreeders.org.

Tickets for the NYTB Awards Dinner, where the 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year will be awarded in addition to New York Divisional Championship nominees, Broodmare of the Year, Champion Trainer, Champion Jockey, and Outstanding Breeder, are available for purchase while supplies last. Tickets are $150 for NYTB members and $175 for non-members by visiting nytbreeders.org/events. Tables of 10 are also available for $1,350 for NYTB members.

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. is pleased to announce the nominees for the New York-bred Divisional Awards of 2024. A panel of New York Turf writers, broadcasters, handicappers, racing analysts and photographers will vote to decide the winners of each division and the 2024 New York-bred Horse of the Year.

The 2024 New York-bred divisional champions, New York-bred Horse of the Year, a special lifetime achievement award and other honors will be announced at the NYTB Awards Dinner sponsored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, May 19 at Sacred Saratoga on the property of GMP Farm Equine Rehabilitation and Therapy in Schuylerville. The awards ceremony includes a cocktail hour, silent auction and plated dinner.

“The New York-bred Divisional Awards honor the very best in New York breeding and racing. This year’s nominees are no exception,” said NYTB President Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, D.V.M. “We look forward to welcoming the connections of each nominee and our program participants. As an organization, we have worked to expand this year’s award categories, including an award for New York Farm Manager of the Year to celebrate every facet of breeding and racing. We look forward to a special evening.”

New York riding legend and NYRA TV personality Richard Migliore will again host the Awards Dinner. Tickets are available – $150 for NYTB Members and $175 for non-members – for purchase at nytbreeders.org/events. Tables of 10 are also available for $1,350 for NYTB members.

“On behalf of the New York State Gaming Commission and Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund we are proud to once again work with NYTB in celebrating the connections of each nominee and all participants in the New York-bred program at this year’s New York-bred Divisional Awards,” said Brian O’Dwyer, chairman of the New York State Gaming Commission and New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund. “The annual awards ceremony is very special because it embodies our collective mission to support and recognize the very best in New York breeding and racing.”

Also to be honored at the Awards Dinner with 2024 awards will be Broodmare of the Year, Champion Trainer, Champion Jockey and Outstanding Breeder. New awards for this year include New York Sire of the Year and New York Farm Manager of the Year. Applications for submission for the New York Farm Employee of the Year are available here.

“Each of this year’s nominees reflects the continued quality of racehorses bring bred and foaled in New York. We look forward to hosting and welcoming everyone to a wonderful evening in celebration of the New York-bred program,” said NYTB Executive Director Najja Thompson.

The 2024 New York-bred divisional championship nominees by category:
2-Year-Old Male: Bold Fortune, Jack and Jim, Mi Bago, Mo Plex, Sacrosanct.
2-Year-Old Filly: Accelerating, Scythian, Shoot It True, Stone Smuggler, With the Angels.
3-Year-Old Male: Antonio of Venice, Doc Sullivan, Pandagate, Tapalo, The Big Torpedo.
3-Year-Old Filly: Kinza, Landed, My Mane Squeeze, Roanan Goddess, Sweet Brown Sugar.
Older Dirt Male: Bank Frenzy, Light Man, Maker’s Candy, Mama’s Gold, Rotknee.
Older Dirt Female: Kant Hurry Love, Silver Skillet, Sterling Silver, Stonewall Star, Venti Valentine.
Turf Male: Dakota Gold, Dancing Buck, Senbei, Spirit of St Louis, Works for Me.
Turf Female: Caldwell Luvs Gold, Loon Cry, Moonage Daydream, Scythian, Silver Skillet.
Male Sprinter: Dancing Buck, Light Man, Rotknee, Senbei, Tapalo.
Female Sprinter: Kant Hurry Love, Loon Cry, My Mane Squeeze, Sterling Silver, Tricky Temper.

Dear Members:

All new and renewed 2025 NYTB members will be eligible for a special advance ticket presale for this year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to be held Wednesday, June 4 – Sunday, June 8, at Saratoga Race Course!

The NYTB member Presale will take place Tuesday, February 11 through Wednesday, February 12.

• NYTB members are eligible to receive a 50 percent discount towards general admission for Belmont Stakes Day, June 7.A two (2) ticket maximum purchase per NYTB member (fees apply). This offer will be accessible here and unlocked with your registered NYTB email address.
• NYTB members will be selected via a random draw for the opportunity to purchase reserved seating and select premium hospitality during this exclusive presale based on available inventory. Inventory is extremely limited. Members who are selected through the random draw will be contacted via email with details and a direct link to purchase.

Please note all eligible NYTB discount ticket purchases will be verified.

To join or renew your NYTB membership for 2025, to take advantage of these offers, please visit nytbreeders.org/membership.

If you have any questions regarding this year’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival NYTB member discounts, please contact the NYTB membership services team at (518) 587- 0777. Monday – Friday 10 am. – 4 pm.

We hope you enjoy these  NYTB membership benefits and hope to see you at this year’s  2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course!

New York State Gaming Commission named seven individuals from Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing to its aftercare advisory council Thursday. Coglianese Photo.

New York State Gaming Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer announced members of an advisory board to assist directing contributions from New York’s Thoroughbred and Standardbred breeding funds to responsible racehorse aftercare organizations.

“These dedicated individuals recognize the importance of making sure racehorses have viable options after they leave the track,” said O’Dwyer. “Their collective expertise will undoubtedly help the cause, and I thank each member for volunteering their time to promote responsible aftercare.”

The commission selected the following individuals to serve on the aftercare funding advisory committee:

• Joseph Battaglia, of Mechanicville
• Lois Engel, of Lattingtown
• Bill Ketzer, of Delmar
• Robin Malatino, of Saratoga Springs
• Lisa Malloy, of East Greenbush
• Liz O’Connell, of Troy
• Rick Schosberg, of Muttontown

New Yorkers may make contributions on personal and/or corporate state income tax returns to funding the operation of retired racehorse aftercare facilities via the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund and/or the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund (for Standardbreds). In addition, any fines collected for violations of New York State law prohibiting the slaughter of racehorses and racehorse breeding stock (Section 382 of the Agriculture & Markets Law) are remitted to the respective funds to be spent solely for the purpose of the care of retired racehorses.

The funds will then distribute the funds to organizations, with consideration as to whether the group is an accredited horse retirement and rescue program.

To learn more about the commission’s commitment to responsible horse breeding and aftercare, click here.