NYRA purchases Sugar Maple Farm

In a move it terms a commitment to the New York breeding industry, the New York Racing Association, through a wholly owned subsidiary, purchased Sugar Maple Farm in Dutchess County, N.Y. for a price of $12.1 million, according to property records.

The 466-acre property, located in Poughquag, N.Y., was owned by Howard and Susan Kaskel, longtime New York breeders/owners who campaigned, among others, Alabama winner Maplejinsky and Irish Derby winner Sir Harry Lewis. Other prominent horses raised at Sugar Maple include American champions Sky Beauty and Itsallgreektome.

The property records show that the sale was completed last Dec. 29. The wholly owned subsidiary is known as Sugar Maple Farm, LLC.

Sugar Maple Farm is approximately one-hour from Belmont Park and two hours from Saratoga.

The property currently offers six barns with a total of 94 stalls.

The acquisition of the property will allow NYRA to pursue a wide array of uses including an equine health and safety research center, dedicated Thoroughbred aftercare facilities, off-track training, layup boarding and related services for horses rehabilitating injuries, equine hydrotherapy/swimming, and possibly a veterinary education program in partnership with accredited New York State-based colleges of veterinary medicine.

“The acquisition of Sugar Maple Farm will, for the first time, allow NYRA to directly contribute to New York’s breeding industry and strengthen the NY-bred program,” NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna said in an e-mail. “NYRA jumped at the opportunity to protect Sugar Maple Farm because it will strengthen the foundation of New York State’s thoroughbred racing ecosystem, create jobs in the Hudson Valley, enhance equine safety and preserve important open space.”

NYRA’s acquisition of Sugar Maple Farm was welcome news to New York breeders.

“The news of NYRA purchasing the farm with plans to modernize the facility for a multitude of purposes with the overall goal and intent of helping to further improve the landscape of New York breeding and racing is exciting and we look forward to working NYRA toward these goals,” said Najja Thompson, executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.

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