NYRA Purchases Sugar Maple Farm for $12.1 Million

The New York Racing Association announced Oct. 11 it has purchased Maple Sugar Farm in Duchess County, N.Y., with the intention of using the 466-acre horse farm for a variety of purposes including a new center for equine health and safety research, veterinary education programing, Thoroughbred aftercare, off-track training, and layup services.

NYRA paid $12.1 million through a wholly owned subsidiary for the property, which has a market value of $16.9 million, according to Duchess County records.

"NYRA, through a wholly owned subsidiary, has acquired a large parcel of land in Duchess County, N.Y., known as Sugar Maple Farm," said NYRA vice president of communications Pat McKenna. "The 466-acre property, which was previously utilized as a breeding farm, could be appropriate for a wide array of uses including as a new center for equine health and safety research, veterinary education programing, Thoroughbred aftercare, as well as off-track training and layup services."

The farm, which includes seven barns and 94 stalls, is located north of New York City, approximately an hour drive from Belmont Park and two hours from Saratoga Race Course.

NYRA said purchase of the property will help the industry in New York.

"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 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."