Senbei takes Ashley T. Cole field all the way

Senbei returned to some front-running tactics not displayed since his turf debut back in July of his 4-year-old season and came away with a gate-to-wire score in Saturday’s $121,250 Ashley T. Cole Stakes at Aqueduct.

The 6-year-old Candy Ridge gelding went to the front from the break of the 6-furlong Ashley T. Cole and stayed there throughout to win by a half-length over Bold Journey. Manny Franco rode Senbei for trainer Miguel Clement and owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Darlene Bilinski.

Bred by Dr. Jerry Bilinski and foaled at his Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Senbei improved to 8-for-21 in his career with his first victory since the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint in early October at Aqueduct. The first-place check of $68,750 also boosted his bankroll to $717,875.

“Manny rode him brilliantly,” Clement said. “Every time someone came to make a challenge, he found a bit more. I do think there was a bit more in the tank. Nevertheless, sometimes making things easy and just going straight to the front in a paceless affair is the right way to go about things – especially with the best horse.”

The Ashley T. Cole, formerly run at 9 furlongs on turf for New York-breds, marked the second start of 2025 for Senbei. He finished fifth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by My Boy Prince, in his seasonal debut in the Elusive Quality Stakes May 3 at Aqueduct. Named champion 2-year-old New York-bred male in 2021 after winning three stakes on the dirt, including the Funny Cide on Saratoga Showcase Day, Senbei transitioned to turf and synthetic races back in early July 2023.

Sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the compact field of five, Senbei broke well and went to the front ahead of Bold Journey with Locke and Key taking up the immediate chase ahead of Run Curtis Run and 3-2 second choice Twenty Six Black.

Senbei led by a length over Bold Journey through the opening quarter in :23.26, with Run Curtis Run third. Senbei clicked off a half in :45.17, Franco gave a look back heading into the stretch as Locke and Key retreated and Bold Journey continued to make a run at the leader.

Bold Journey tried to draw on even terms with Senbei in midstretch, past 5 furlongs in :56.14. Senbei held sway in deep stretch to win in 1:07.47 over the firm course.

Senbei won in his first start for Miguel Clement, who took over the stable following the passing of his father Christophe Clement in late May.

“That was my plan,” Franco said of the front-running tactics. “When I came to the paddock, I told Miguel, ‘there’s no speed in the race and I think I’m on the fastest horse.’ I didn’t want to make it too complicated. If he broke on top, I’m going to take it, so that’s what I did.

“I was so confident in the first quarter – I knew I went slow enough, so I was happy because I know he likes to fight when the other horse comes to him. I knew he was going to do it today for me, too. Last time, it was a nice race coming off the bench and he ran really well. Today, he was ready. He can compete with state-bred and open company. He’s going to try his best.”

Named by the trainer’s wife and NYRA racing analyst Acacia Clement after the Japanese cracker by the same name, Senbei was purchased from Stuart Morris’s consignment by Christophe Clement for $280,000 as a short yearling during the 2020 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. He’s one of five winners and four stakes performers out of Western Cat daughter Sweet Aloha, who also produced dual stakes winners Filibustin and Indy’s Lady and the stakes-placed Man O Manassas. Filibustin has gone on to be a stakes producer herself as the dam of multiple stakes winner and $192,171-earner Mr Fillip. She’s also the dam of the 2-year-old Omaha Beach filly I Need a Miracle, a $200,000 purchase by Mike Ryan out of last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale.

Sweet Aloha’s youngest foal is the 3-year-old New York-bred Twirling Candy colt named Tropical Candy, who sold for $150,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. Tropical Candy turned in a half-mile breeze in :48.87 on Saratoga’s Oklahoma Training Track in early May.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/06/28/senbei-takes-ashley-t-cole-field-all-the-way/

---

Voting Opens for Down Broadway Retired Racehorse of the Year Award

[1]Initially released by The New Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, INc. (NYTHA)

Winner to be Announced on New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Thursday, July 17

New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course will be held on Thursday, July 17, and once again the presentation of the Down Broadway Retired Racehorse of the Year Award will highlight the event. Named for the first horse to retire through the TAKE THE LEAD Program back in 2013, the Down Broadway winner is decided by a vote of the fans. Voting opens today, Monday, June 9.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), and New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB) will host the fifth annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day, which showcases retired racehorses demonstrating the skills they’ve learned in second careers, and interviews with members of New York’s aftercare community. The $150,000 Rick Violette Stakes, named for the late trainer and NYTHA President who spearheaded the creation of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Retirement Program, will anchor the racing card.

“We have a collective responsibility to provide our equine athletes with the best of care not only when they are at the racetrack, but into their retirement as well,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA Senior Vice President for Racing & Operations. “New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day is an opportunity for all stakeholders to come together to demonstrate our dedication to aftercare. NYRA takes great pride in hosting this event for the fifth straight year on July 17 at Saratoga Race Course.”

“Thoroughbred aftercare has become an increasingly important element of New York’s racing community since TAKE THE LEAD was launched a dozen years ago,” said Rick Schosberg, president of that organization. “Ensuring racehorses have the happy, healthy, and purposeful retirement they deserve is paramount. All of us—owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, and racetracks—are thoroughly committed to providing for our horses after they leave the track, and together we contribute over $1.2 million a year to aftercare.”

“We’re proud to partner with NYTHA, NYRA, and each participating organization for New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day,” said New York Thoroughbred Breeders Executive Director Najja Thompson. “This day helps highlight our efforts and awareness to racing fans and the public to ensure New York remains a leader in Thoroughbred aftercare, and second career opportunities for our equine athletes.”

In addition to TAKE2 and TAKE THE LEAD, representatives of ACTT Naturally, Akindale, Lucky Orphans, New Vocations, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, ReRun, Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will be on hand in the Community Booth behind the jockeys’ quarters to talk about their efforts on behalf of New York’s retired racehorses.

The Down Broadway Award was inaugurated last year and honors went to My Boy Tate (pictured above), a popular New York-bred retired through ReRun who is now learning to be a show horse.

Bred and trained by Michelle Nevin, My Boy Tate was campaigned by Little Red Feather Racing.

“We love being a part of Aftercare Day,” My Boy Tate’s adopter, Kendra Richardson, said after the award ceremony. “It really is our favorite thing to do every year. What we enjoyed most this year was meeting the previous owners, or people who knew the horses when they were racing, and making that connection. We are all working together for the horses, but we rarely get to meet and talk to people from the racing side. Not only are we showing the public what these horses can do, we are bringing these two communities together.”

Four retired Thoroughbreds have been nominated for this year’s Down Broadway Award by the organizations who participate in Aftercare Day. They include a true war horse who earned $342,783 in his 89 starts and was the leading Colorado-bred earner for a time; the hero of the 2008 Maryland Million Turf; a filly raced by Hall of Fame football coach Bill Parsells; and a gelding whose lone career win was a 14-1 upset in the mud at Belmont Park.

The winner of the Down Broadway Award will be decided by a vote of racing fans, with the voting open June 9 through June 26. ONE VOTE PER PERSON.

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 first race that day.

Click HERE to cast your vote for the 2025 Down Broadway Retired Racehorse of the Year!

Profiles of each of the finalists are available here[3] or individually here: Broadway Producer[4] (New Vocations), Cut of Music[5] (Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation), Flag is Flying[6] (Second Chance Thoroughbreds), Mel’s Baby Sister[7] (ReRun).

 

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/06/12/voting-opens-for-down-broadway-retired-racehorse-of-the-year-award-2/

---

2025 NYTB Membership Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Protocols

[1]

Dear Members:

Please note

All new and renewed 2025 NYTB members are eligible for general admission access during next week’s Belmont Stakes Racing Festival with your 2025 NYTB membership card on the following dates: Wednesday, June 4; Thursday, June 5; Friday, June 6; and Sunday, June 8.

A limited number of General Admission tickets remain available for Belmont Stakes Day, on Saturday, June 7. NYTB Members are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets may be purchased via Ticketmaster[2] or by calling the NYRA Box Office at 844.697.2849.

 

2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Admission Information

If you have any questions regarding your NYTB membership, please contact the NYTB Office at 518.587.0777. 

Kind regards,

Najja Thompson, Executive Director

 

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/05/30/2025-nytb-membership-belmont-stakes-racing-festival-protocols/

---

NYTB to honor Barry K. Schwartz with Lifetime Achievement Award

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.”

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/05/01/nytb-to-honor-barry-k-schwartz-with-lifetime-achievement-award/

---

Finalists for the 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year Award

[1]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.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/04/18/finalists-for-the-2024-new-york-farm-manager-of-the-year-award/

---

NYTB mourns passing of Jane Schosberg

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[2], to Take2/Take The Lead[3], or to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.[4]

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/03/17/nytb-mourns-passing-of-jane-schosberg/

---

Nominations for 2024 New York Farm Manager of the Year now Open

[1]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[2] 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[3] 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[4].

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.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/02/20/nominations-for-2024-new-york-farm-manager-of-the-year-now-open/

---

NYTB announces 2024 New York-bred divisional championship nominees

[1]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[2]. 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[3].

“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.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2025/02/19/nytb-announces-2024-new-york-bred-divisional-championship-nominees/

---